**CHANGE OF VENUE**

We feel that as small business owners, it would be best if we attend the City Council meeting scheduled for that evening.

I hope that you are aware of Ordinance 2012-296.  There is so much wrong with this Ordinance and to be honest, I have trouble understanding why this has even been proposed.

I was under the assumption that our Constitution already protects and provides for equal opportunity for all citizens.  It appears we are making exceptions now.

 As small business owners, this WILL affect us.  Did this come about because one business owner decided not to locate to Jacksonville because he didn't feel it was the right environment because we don't include sexual orientation in our list of city discrimination prohibitions?

This causes me to wonder.........what type of businesses are we looking for to come to Jacksonville?

As a business owner, how does this make you feel?  Perhaps we are not interested

in doing business in the type of environment they are proposing.

I stop and wonder everyday as we are asked to accept things that go against most

of our moral fibers, what has happened to our moral compass in this country.

We have a couple of opportunities to have our voices heard.  You can attend the Rules Committee

on June 4 at 10:00 a.m, the Recreation/Community Development Committee on June 5 at 2:00

(unfortunately those of us with jobs have trouble attending these), go to their offices, or

join us at the City Council meeting on June 12.

If you are unable to attend, PLEASE, at least email them.  You can find each council member's

name and email address at www.coj.net/city-council/city-council-members.aspx

To make things even easier, Florida Family Policy Council has provided a link and a message

you can use or create your own at http://www.votervoice.net/Core/core.aspx?APP=GAC&AID=457&IssueID=28890&AdminPreview=True&SiteID=-1

Those in favor of this ordinance are making their voices heard and we MUST do the same.

Please put this on your calendar and show up for this meeting.  Please ask others to attend as well.