Letter: Special election did not show wide support for returning GRU to City control
Letter to the editor
The Gainesville City Commission’s claim of wide support for control of the utility is false. In a highly promoted special referendum supported by a political party and a private PAC (political action committee), less than 15 percent (14.33%) of 76,025 city voters favored returning the utility to the commission. The $250,000 event failed miserably to convince or demonstrate sufficient public support for change.
Actually, the electric system now serves more than 288,000 regional customers in 100,000 homes and businesses, the majority of whom had no vote. Thus the so-called “mandate” by 10,882 voters who favor City control of the utility is, at best, a costly head fake. This referendum, whose cost was opposed by Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut, was created and promoted by a few commissioners and the Mayor, whose utterances were widely covered by press and TV.
Evidence indicates that most of the city’s 76,000 resident voters have long given up hope to improve City government and did not vote for the City’s attempt to gain control of the utility. They have become painfully aware that the city commission has blocked needed structural change and public input by force, by firing whistleblowers, by selecting notoriously incompetent management, by hiring practices, by spending large sums on favorites and wealthy landlords, by lying to state auditors, and by making sensitive public records unavailable.
To maintain power, the commission majority rearranged district maps to support their preferred candidates and diminish others, in violation of law. They modified district elections by collecting the voters within unannounced boundaries even before the district boundaries were confirmed, in violation of law. History proves that our chaotic election system of mixed district and non-district voting supports the entrenched majority. The special utility referendum also confirmed that one political party gathered about 70% of early votes. These vote-gathering and influence techniques were used to extend commissioners’ terms, to increase mayoral powers, and to revise the city charter, all while remaining silent on grossly increased fees, massive debt, utility rates, and elevated management salaries, while falsely claiming wide public support.
It has become the sad case that Gainesville’s City government is a closed system where critics and opponents are locked out by force, fear, and surrender.
Mark Kane Goldstein, Gainesville
References
https://my.lwv.org/florida/alachua/action-alert/520-home-rule-gru-one-success-one-more-vote-help-needed
https://www.alligator.org/article/2025/05/gainesville-city-commission-votes-to-hold-special-election-for-gru-referendum?ct=content_open&cv=cbox_latest
https://enr.electionsfl.org/ALA/3887/Summary
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Thank you Mark for this information. The mayor and city commissioners don’t represent us. They want control to finance their pets projects and will cook the books to sway the sheeple. It’s sad and pathetic.
If true – it’s not since in the 2024 vote the same wipe out of Mark and your dreams occurred with a strong turnout, and elections are valid in America no matter the turn out (WTF is wrong with this guy? He was a mayor?) – then Mark and you should be celebrating Clown. You’ve got an open road to win an easy election since you don’t think your opposition’s ideas actually are popular here. Just think of the glory when you and Mark lead this coalition of the real majority down University Ave in a celebration of the citizens finally getting their say.
NOT! Idiots.
Dude, you’re deranged. It’s single-party control here. At-large districts so even the 25-30% of voters who are NOT “blue no matter who” automatons aren’t represented.
And no matter how things get (high poverty rate, GRU mess, etc), you guys just do as you’re told and the ONLY shot of any real change is if the state intervenes.
Fun little dystopia and you pretend like we have ANY shot of real change. And btw I’m a Left populist, not a Republican. But it’s fucking sickening to see the poverty rates and the mismanagement by politicians who DO NOT FEAR LOSING ELECTIONS because of brain-dead people like you.
Dan, I agree with you that you guys are a puny segment of the voting public here, not some silent majority who will be victrious with a better turn out (you were still clobbered on this issue in last years presidential election turn out). Mark and many of the posters here are who you should be correcting.
If “less than 15 percent (14.33%) of 76,025 city voters favored returning the utility to the commission”, shouldn’t it have been fairly easy to turn out the NO vote and defeat the issue?
When things are decided by a vote, the control goes to the ones who actually vote. They demonstrate they care about the issue. In a twist on a popular saying “Not voting is compliance”.
That’s a feature of our system. Not a bug.
Dave Gobhoff, you are absolutely correct. Local elections are when our votes count the most. The people who couldn’t be bothered enough to vote will have themselves to thank for the fact that nothing changes in this one party town. There is no diversity of thought in this city’s government because there aren’t enough people willing to take 10 minutes out of their day to vote for something better. Very sad…
There are not enough people here to defeat the propagandized “blue no matter who” masses. It is what it is.
Absolutely right Dave (though it partly requires in this instance forgetting the vote that occurred 1 year ago with a presidential election turn out). Anyone spewing this “we are the real majority” HS should be committed as a danger to themselves.
LOL the statistics are widely available. Alachua County is 50% Dem, 25% GOP, 25% Indy. And these aren’t progressive populist Dems. These are mind-numb “blue no matter who” Libs.
Nothing will ever change here. Thankfully there’s balance at state level to stop things from being TOO bad (like with school closures during Covid).
Oh and even though 50% of the county is NOT a registered Dem, you get 5 carbon copies on the city/county commissions bc they’re all at-large.
Yay!
Dan, glad we agree that Mark is nuts if he thinks the results would be different with a larger turnout. We did that in 2024 with the same results (about 70% in favor of dumping the “authority”).
We disagree on your partisan sniping. Your “mind-numb” team of zombies voted for Trump 3 times. My team is with Leon County’s the most educated group of voters in the state.
You’re funny. Bud, this county is lost. Single-party control. Politicians don’t fear losing elections and even when they do, they just re-do them (see: single member districts). It’s a dystopian hellhole where the ONLY reason it’s not worse is we have the state govt to counterbalance.
You are absolutely correct Dave, the no voters could have stuffed the ballot box in an attempt to defeat the referendum taking advantage of the expected low turnout. Further, the author ignores the fact that just one year ago over 54 thousand or approx 68% of the registered voters cast a ballot to return GRU to local governance.
Pretty much means that 85% of the electorate doesn’t care one way or another.
The reason people don’t vote in Gainesville city elections is because they’re tire of their vote not counting. Much like Republicans in blue states like Massachusettes and California, they simply stop voting because their is no point. Leftists vote in unison regardless of the issue, or justice of the cause. They simply do what the “D” tells them to do. Everyone else sees this dynamic and either acquiesces or eventually moves. The double-whammy withe the GRU issue is that those of those of us that moved with our feet to the county and out of the city do not have a choice as to utility. My backyard abuts Oakmont, which is Clay Electric, but I am forced to use GRU. Why this arbitrary cutoff? Given the choice I would pick Clay Electric. And now, as affluent customer of GRU, will have the City of Gainesville increase rates beyond a certain usage precisely to obtain revenue from non-city residents. This is almost criminal at this point!
Wonder if it’s time to take that “right” to vote away from those who waste it?
If they put as much effort into that right as much as they did their 1st & 2nd Amendment Rights, just think how many things could be changed.
Well said. I am in process of selling and getting out of Alachua county and especially the city. Sick of their corruption.
Great article. Of course the truth hurts and so the spin doctors go on tv and in supportive media to claim something happened that didn’t. 80% no shows shows futility with the the commission and the “activists” knowing they simply harvest votes and then claim a mandate. Let’s just say the next $250k referendum to take back the piggy bank with “unlimited transfers” only has ten voters show up. 7 vote yes and 3 vote no. The headlines would read “70% of voters overwhelming approve to return control of GRU to support home rule!” and claim a mandate by the people of Gainesville. Put things in perspective and read between the lies.
James, get a grip. The same result followed the 2024 election which was a heavy turn out in a presidential year. You and Mark are in a small minority of voters on this, not some imaginary silent majority.
You lost.
Jazz, the 2024 “vote” was nullified by the judge because the language of the referendum was unclear and confusing to voters. Especially voters like yourself that didn’t read or understand it anyway as you simply vote blue until you’re blue in the face and all huffy and puffy mad. Do you not recall the 2022 audit of the city that clearly documented the failures of the city councils control of GRU and the shamless tax and spend policies that doomed GRU until the Governor HAD to step in? Take a break and justify the voters reasoning. You can’t fix stupid.
So James, it is your contention that if the language had been clearer in the 2024 vote on the GRU authority, your side – some kind of “silent majority” who doesn’t want home rule – would have prevailed?
Really?
We both know that’s BS.
Not my contention at all. Everyone that lives in the city knows we have a one party rule here. What surprises no one is that you seem to think that you’re right about who does a better job at efficienctly regulating GRU and your compulsive need to comment and correct the readers of the AC with your superior “knowledge” on absolutely every topic.This city is designed to toe the line and support incompetent “authority”.That’s what communism does. It controls the outcomes no matter how contradictory to the reality (truth) of the matter. But no matter how much you rationalize that it’s better (more efficient) the truth is otherwise. Additionally, your constant attacks with personal insults to others and deflections to the duly elected officials of this state and the nation, you’re like a whinny little child that wants his way all the time on every topic. Lighten up and show some respect.
James, that clearly was your contention, or someone else is posting in your name. Try to stick to the points you make (“2024 referendum was too confusing”) which have just been refuted by me – and see “That Girl” post and my response below – and quit making up positions I haven’t taken. While I have in other threads brought up the fact that GRU had an “A” credit rating – same as FPL – at the time city voters were stripped of their ownership rights, I have argued exclusively, including here, for the principle of democracy and ownership rights. I have said nothing about the efficiency of the authority vs the city, or any other perfomative comparisons. That is irrelevant in my opinion and is similar to saying “James isn’t taking good enough care of his house so we’ll have to take it from him.”
Have I made myself clear enough or do you want to keep switching points and imagining who I am and what I think. No doubt your straw man is easier pickings.
Aggrieved Goldstein strikes again with over the top accusations and rhetoric. The utility is owned by Gainesville citizens and vote after vote after vote shows we want home rule and control.
As with any elected body oversight and engagement is necessary, the Gainesville city commission is no different. See Alachua and Newberry and Archer…no community is immune.
Invitado, that is all so obvious and these losers keep shoveling the BS, trying to convince themselves they are the majority and that theft of property and ending democratic control is OK if they save a few bucks.
Mark is being intellectually dishonest when he claims the referendum vote last week “failed miserably to convince or demonstrate sufficient public support for change. ”
There have been three votes on referendum to retain governance of GRU under local (i.e. the commissioners you can elect or fire) and all three times it passed with super majorities.
2018 – 60%
2024 – 73%
2025 – 75%
This is a clear mandate by the voters that despite any complaints they have about elected commissioners over the years, at least we retain the ability to vote them out of office.
All the other blah, blah, blah are just red herrings in an attempt to de-legitimize the will of the voters.
The people have spoken.
Three times.
And more loudly, clearly and with a consistent voice each time.
Vote them out every 4 years? After how much damage and how high a cost to the consumer and taxpayers?
5 years of increasing the rates @ 5% per year is an increase. That’s what idiots voted for, raising their utility costs. If those costs were about $200 initially, those costs could rise to near $250 per month at the end of year 5. ($200 x 12 = $2400 year 1; $250 x 12 = $3000 year 5.)
And that’s before property tax increases and special assessments. Anyone who doesn’t have a problem with the above needs to shut up about inflation and tariffs.
Not everyone’s parents pay their kids’ bills and not everyone wants to be chained to the City Commission. Those are the types who’ve bottched things up with their voting habits.
You’re right you voted but won’t any more, with 4 year terms, like the president, we just can’t afford this democracy anymore and should favor our overlords in Tally taking over.
What a lame argument!
What’s lame is your inability to explain why those elected Commissioners chose to disregard and ignore the residents who petitioned and pleaded against rate increases. I don’t recall you even being able to tell of one of your clients voting for the increase or the Bio-fiasco.
Maybe you and other supporters benefit in some way? From what I hear, add-ons for energy efficiency can be quite profitable to some.
Not my job dummy, but hey, if most voters were in agreement with you the commissioners would be gone. They’re not. Guess you’re in a minority, loser.
Punting again…
That’s a common occurrence when you have no explanation or justification to explain stupidity amongst your peers.
Thanks for confirming the lack of common sense and uninformed voters in Gainesville though.
+1
Irrefutable
Susan how much are you and your husband receiving from the city by that engineering company that helps with those high rise apartments? Hmmm. Something you certainly didn’t want mentioned on Facebook and came to my inbox asking to discuss it.., hmmm sketchy isn’t it? You also have no concept of math either. Less than 20% of city voters voted. Some of those are harvested students paid by you all and likely the supplier of the pizza to buy a damn vote. Oh and then there are the county rate payers that are nixed from the vote… get real lady!
OK, now do the 2024 results on the GRU “authority”, that girl.
Oh you mean the misleading referendum that many had no idea which way to vote because it was confusing? That one that didn’t count because it could be interpreted so many different ways… I’m sure you were not at that hearing but I would advise you to start actually showing up to them you might actually learn something other than being one Eastman and ward’s do bois….
Cut the crap That Girl. Here’s the 2024 amendment:
““Shall the city of Gainesville charter be amended to delete article VII, eliminating the Governor-appointed Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority and its appointed administrator that manage, operate, and control the city of Gainesville’s local public utilities, and placing that responsibility with the elected city commission and charter officer.”
The judge through it out on the technical legal point that it implied the “charter officer” was “elected”.
That confused you as to it’s meaning? Really?
Both of us know that’s BS.
Susan,Honesty means disclosing everything including any personal advantage or conflict of interest.
Yes the data confirm the city commission Is supported by about 15% of the residents and students who dutifully comply with party vote collection efforts on each of the so-called voting events.
Mark, one assumes you were elected in “so-called voting events” in Gainesville. though after this nonsense many have to be wondering why.
Do you have a partucular reason for calling free and fair elections “so called voting events”? If you do, you should divulge that or maybe just STFU.
I was elected when local elections were non-partisan, free and fair without party or PAC. Can you tell us your name and if you are paid by government?
Fair ?
Mark
Than wouldn’t your time be better spent advocating for a return to non-partisan city elections? Surely you are not implying that partisan elections – virtually all of them in the US – disqualifies their results, right? Without more evidence – any evidence – isn’t it irresponsible of you as a past office holder in the city to claim a city election is illegitimnate? Please, have more respect for the office you previously occupied and which clearly is determined by free and fair elections.
Like most here I did not choose public life and keep my name secret for that reason. As an honest poster who actually admits mistakes here I assure you that you don’t know me, I am not paid by anyone for political reasons and I don’t know any current or past office holders in the city or county.
Pretensions of virtue from the hidden.
I’m not the subject Mark, your opinion is. If all you have to counter mine is an attack on my imagined character, you’re bankrupt.
Wow you are a mouthy little SOB! How about you STFU and quit disrespecting your elders. Cause there is no way in hell you are near his age, and you seem to sound a bit entitled. Let me guess you are a millennial. Sure sound like it!
Mark and I are probably close in age. I was in school at UF pre-Civil Rights Bill days when Gainesville was totally segregated – restaurants, hotels, and schools.
Elders – including me – don’t deserve respect when they spread obvious falsehoods intended to damage our democracy.
You guys are wasting your time. The Libs will always get whatever they want here and DO NOT CARE about negative consequences. “Blue no matter who” and that’s all they know.
C’mon Mark. You of all people should know how voting works. Those who can”t be bothered to vote, lose the right to bitch. And you also are aware I’m sure that there was a strong turnout in 2024 and the vote was essentially the same. Your politics have taken a turn to the bizarre in recent years.
Author writes “Evidence indicates…”, then presents ZERO evidence. SMH
Since a local referendum cannot repeal a state legislative act, why waste time voting on straw ballot questions that are misleading? Listen to voters for our state elected officials and convince them to repeal it.
The special interest groups always show up. It would be interesting to see how many of them received grants from the city.
It certainly would… I’m almost certain all of them though likely in my they names which I turn you would find they move money from one unknown to a known
How about evidence or STFU.
The problem with this vote wasn’t that people didn’t care, most people didn’t even know there was a special election or what it was about. Plus the opposition did not have the money or resources to promote their cause to the extent that the Vote Yes group did.
The Vote Yes side had a seemly unlimited supply of money to that they directed mostly at Democrats who vote on a regular basis. Add to that a City Commission willing to spend $250,000 to hold a meaningless special election and advocates like Bottcher and Commissioner Eastman, who seem to be able to work full time rallying support for their cause, spreading packs of lies about MAGA and DeSantis because they know that the truth doesn’t matter, just pushing peoples’ button to convince them to vote their way does.
These days winning elections isn’t so much about one side being better than the other, it’s about who has the most time and money to spend and is willing say and do anything in order to win.
Jazz? So you don’t live in the city of Gainesville or the County?
I am so tired of this red & blue crap in the county, in my family, in this country!!!! WE ALL use POWER & WATER. AND how did I teach in a rural county making more money than my kids do here with UF Masters????? DISGUSTING, TOTALLY;(