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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - November 15, 2006 Public CommentCondnW Afsven rr 15, 2006 E-16 Adopted Remotion No. 2006-207 approving the Maws for the Greatrir Lodi Area Youth Comthission.'' E-17 Adopted R tion No. 200&mft 206 approving Year 2406 amendments to Ct at Inter4at Cod�avernment Code §87306.5). E-18 Set public hing for November 29, 2006, to consider a General Plan arnendrraasnt and re Spheof In#mnee amendment to establish an agricuitur%enbeit. F. , Y„ F Ir' LIGJaN l-AmEMA ITEMS • Kett Owem spok4 in favor of the "Christ in Christmas" campaign and pra4ded information to this -City 0ouncilrding the same. Check Eastedingiurged the City Council to enter a float in the Parade of Lights and/or support an entry. He ads ed Bil and Carol Mesh is wrffl be the Band marshals of lid partttde. G. QUMME1NTSBY C17f COUNCIL. MEMBERS ON NON-AGIMM ITEMS H. • C#mcil Mr"' Hansen shed he appreciated the oiftxens' vote of cotlfidenoe in his rea iom and plovided general comments about election rests, He abo reported on the NoFt Van CaWo Power ,Agency meeting, stating the organization worked on the pals and strategic plan fot 2007. Itr($'. Hansen suggested the City should be competitive in obtaining funds as a resul�of the passage of Measure K and the Mate Propositions. • Council Member) Mounce requested a staff presentation regarding a potential community improvement di*ict on the east side. • Mayor #- hco echoed Council Member Hansen's comment on reelection, congratulated Council Membe#Elect KaWakian, and inquired about apportionment through rvesidee . City Manager King ted additional areas for equitable assessments coWid be evaWeled in another pressen n as the original Shirtsleeve presentation regards the water assessment was mesad on 11 ited facts. • Council Memb Beckman suggested the City research privatizing; whereby, a private company would uiid and own the water facility. • MoNtager desc*ed the new technology in CaMegie Forum and shed alta nOXt nellseve Sesiflon would include a legislative update and a presentation regarding the Rail Ca rnmiaNion stultll. I.kJUBING 1-1 Notipe the having Been puffished according to low, an affidavit o1 whith publeation is on Oe in tt# office of the City Clerk, Mayor Httch000k called for the public hearing to consider t folia Ing: a) Ce4ify the Lodi Annexation Environmental Impact Report as adequate California En*onmentel Quality Act analysis for the Southwest Gateway Project b) Api*ove the Southwest Gateway Project, which includes an annexation, preconing, Development Agreement, and amender to the Bicycle Tr4sportaation Master Plan to incorporate 305 acres into the City of Lodi to allow construction of 1,230 dwelling units, 5 neighborhoodlco mmunity parks, and a pubic elementary school on the west side of Lower Sacramento Road, south of Ketteman Lane, north of Harney Lane (including 565 and 603 East Harney Lane) IncWding a City initiated request for the "other annexation areas" (48 acres) for annexation, General Plan amendment, and pre -zoning to avoid creation of a Coonty island NOTE: This item is a quasi judicial hearing and requires disclosure of ex parte communications as set forth in Resolution No. 2006-31 3 November 15, 2006 �hristian Community �oncerns Dear Mayor and City Council Members: C IRIESTiAN COMNPYNITY CONCERNS IS LAUNCHING OUR SECOND ANNUAL "KEEPI CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS" CAMPAIGN. The Christmas story is still the greatest story ever told. To think that the creator of the universe would send heavens' best to redeem mankind is the wonder of wonders. Another story that's almost as amazing as the birth of Jesus is mankind's rejection of the Christmas story. There seems to be an all out attack to rid our country of any mention or public display of Christ in the Christmas story these days. Christmas has historic I ly been the most celebrated holiday in America. However, the tayth of the so called "Separation of Church & State" has led to so many misconceptions fi fi ve hK y school administrators and public officials are removing throughout the land. We don't want Lodi to follow them. Out of concern to not offend shoppers of different beliefs & backgrounds, merchants are also replacing the greoting "Merry Christmas" for happy holidays or Seasons greetings. According to the "Al 'm orDe nse Fund" A National legal or 'on this was never the intent of our Founding Fathers. They state that the "U.S. Supreme Court has never ruled that the Constitution requires Government officials to censor Christmas cards or displays, eliminate all references to Christmas, or silence those who celebrate Christ's birth." there are numerous organizations across the land who have been bringing lawsuits against Christmas displays throughout the nation for the last several years, but that's P.O. Box 367 • Lodi, California • 95241 • Phone/Fax (209) 368-0990 There are Numerous'ons across the land who have been bringing lawsuits against Christmas displays the nation for the last several years, but that's beginning to change naw because the American people are beginning to say enough is enough. Although these organizations are losing legal battles all across America, their falsehoods and misinformation stiff leave a chilling effect in our public schools, and public buildings. For example, many school and Government officials are now convinced that a public Christmas display or Christmas carol violates the so-called "Separation of church and spate. Changing this false peoDeption, and reclaiming the wonderful traditions you and I grew up with, while ensurint the public is well-informed, will require a very visible effort on our part. It is our desire to give you factual, reliable, information in order to equip you to know the truth about what you as a Civic Leader can and cannot do in the area celebrating Chrismias, and "Separation of Church & State issues." Tike campaign will consist of distributing posters to churches, and businesses, as well as pesentations such as this one. Vote will also be asking citizens to pass out a "Christmas handout Card" to merchants while they are doing tbtir Christmas shopping which says ---refer to sample card. CCC is working closely with the Alliance Defense Fund who first launched their Christmas project in 2003. I have included an infoomation sheet from them in your packet. We're asking everyone that feels the same way we do, to join with us in "KEEPD46i CWIST IN CHRISTMAS." Thank you and Merry Christmas to all of you and your families Ksn Owen, Dirwor WF Christmas Project"": Merry Christmas. Page 1 of 1 ALLIANCE r3 Adjust Font Size: A A A Merry Christmas. ; er Its okay to say it. "" ' v* Christmas is a cherished time of year when Americans come together and celebrate something . f�+r• bigger than ourselves, something that has united us fear generations. An event that is the center of all history --the birth of Jesus Christ. Surveys show that 95% of Americans eeiebrate Christmas. Yet, due to political correctness, disinformation, and even the threat of lawsuits from Le K;a the ACLU and its allies, religious expression at Christmesfirne is r++ increasingly absent from the public square. Slowly, this holy . y day is being turned into a secular "solstice season." The AIFililince Defense Fund works year-round to preserve and probed our religious liberties, inckiding "Glory to God in the the right to... highe,4r, and ()n earth ...sing Christmas camJs at sdvd peace, goodwill ...pass out canny canes to dasmates .,.can it,Chrishmas vacation' roward 11 en!" ... sponwra nativity scene on pudic property - LV AW 2:14 ...say WWW Christmas" ADF waits all Arnericans to know the TnAh— that they have the freedom to celebrate Christmas publicly, joyfully, and without fear—for generations to come! We are lattrx*ft our annual national Christmas Project'm to spread the message, "Marry Ctutstmas. it's okay to say it: TM" Wttl you join with us? :: Iher OF e es Contact ADI` Get Involved Media 1 , Al � ,rt Genera' ContAct Order Products Media Kit r;;, A .1 - ine� a Legal Request Make a Donation Press Reteases AhOn, • Me- Resources (D 2005 Alliance Defense Fund. All Rights Reserve. Privacy I Terms A ,h-Wler scan ata. Jy h7�her" ;Y.�(�,CaSP. http://www.saycMsftm.orgimain/default.aspx 11/15/2006 AL l eN89 FUNMIMEW RIBLEASE bW 1 r FOR _ I* RELEASE CO „ AGT 1 111E 4444XRO OF CWJWU" PR©ADT MEDIA KIT AVAIL /►®LE AT WWW-*&VCh1i8Au s.SDg„ld Ne/m2d1ak1t.ndL re than M ail. nrows nadwwWo ready to combat awrivils to censor Christmas r*u#* am&w Ghrisonw Pneet decfw*% "Ueny CIVAMM s. It`s okay to say it" SCC I'SDALE, Ariz. — The Alliance Defense Fund announced today it has more than 950 allied attomeys available nationwide to combat any improper attempts to censor the celebration of Christmas in schools and on public property. "Fra *ly, it's ridiculous than Americans have to think twice about whether it's olcay to say Merry Chriltmaas," said ADF President Alan Sears. "Thanks to the ACLU and its allies, Christmas isn't what it used to be. It's time to repair the damage that such organizations have done to America's favorite holiday. An overvwhelrning majority of Americans oppose censoring Christmas." According to recent polls, • 95 percent of Aswricans celebrate Christmas (Fox News/Opinion Dynamics, 7005). • 90 percent of Anwricans recognize Christmas as the birthday of Jesus Christ (Gallup, 2000). • 86 percent of Americans say it is okay for people to wish others "Merry Christaas" and the majority of Americans *re more hely to wish someone they just met "Merry Christmas" rather than "Happy Holidays" (CNN/USA Today/Gallup, 2004). • 87 percent of Americans believe nativity scenes should be allowed on public property (Fox Dews/Opinion Dynamics, 2003). "ADF's goal once again this season is to inform, educate, and help protect the rights of the 95% of Americans who celebrate Christmas," Sears explained. "It's a sad day in America when you have to retain an attorney to wish someone a Merry Christmas. The fear, intimidation, and disinformation spread by the ACLU and its allies over the years will not be changed overnight. That's why ADF wants to dispel the nryths about religious expression at Christmastime that have prompted wrongful acts of government censorskip of religious speech." The purpose of ADF's Christmas Project is to clear up misconceptions about seasonal religious expression on public property: • The U.S. Supreme Court has never ruled that public schools naust ban the singing of religious Christmas carols or prohibit the distribution of candy canes or Christmas cards. • School officials do not violate the Constitution by closing on religious holidays such as Christmas and Good Friday. • School officials are not Legally obligated to recognize all other religious holidays simply because they officially recognize Thanksgiving or Christmas.