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Public commenters raise concerns about ballot eligibility, school-area traffic safety and an Islamic Center permit
Summary
During citizens communications, Robert McCollum said he was removed from the ballot over a registration technicality and urged review of the process; Mark Haberstro asked for speed bumps and signage outside a Montessori school; Francis Peron pressed the council for notice and study of a proposed Islamic Center permit, citing parking and noise concerns.
At the meeting’s public-comment period, several residents raised procedural and neighborhood issues.
Robert McCollum of 4315 Golf Club Drive criticized the local process that led to his removal from a ballot after qualifying closed, saying the denial occurred for a voter-registration technicality and that a county sheriff had encouraged him to withdraw. "Government does not choose its opponents," McCollum said, arguing the community should encourage rather than discourage civic participation.
Mark Haberstro of 528 Oak Meadow Lane asked the council to consider traffic-calming measures outside Children’s House Montessori at 231 East Drake Avenue, saying inadequate signage and new nearby housing have led to drivers traveling too fast. Staff told Haberstro a staff member would contact him and the communications director would follow up.
Francis Peron of 1270 East University Drive raised concerns about a permit application for an Islamic Center, saying residents reported limited notice from planning staff and questioned parking capacity and building size relative to claimed membership. "This is not about Islam," Peron said, and urged elected officials to ensure thorough review and community notification; the transcript records no planning-department response during the meeting.
Council thanked the speakers and indicated staff follow-up on the traffic-safety request; no formal council action on the permit or election complaint was recorded in the meeting excerpt.
