In less than 72 hours after we first signed the Petition - over 4,250 of you signed to let the Punta Gorda City Council know that you did not want to "Let the Music Die in Downtown Punta Gorda!"  Thanks for your efforts, shares and positive comments! We look forward to presenting the Petition (and emailing the Petition) to PG City Council. 

Here is what we are prepared to share with CIty Council this morning during the Public Session: 

Hi, My name is Steve Lineberry! I don’t own a Bar, I Am Not a Musician. However, I do love the music, entertainment and vibrant atmosphere of Downtown Punta Gorda.

I have been a Charlotte County resident for 20 years and a Punta Gorda resident for 5.  Like the majority of the people in Punta Gorda, I was stunned to find that based on 11 complaints from one person there was a consideration of changing the Sound and possibly Time Ordinances,

Is this true? One person, with ½ of the complaints, could have their own personal wishes and needs placed on a City Council Agenda? Yes, it was! So, I thought, if one person had that much power, what would hundreds, maybe thousands, who agreed on enjoying the music and entertainment in Downtown Punta Gorda have?  Would their wishes and needs be considered?  Using Social Media, I decided to find out.  I started a petition on Change.org, posted it on Facebook. I am happy to say I represent  4,251 who signed our Petition – “Don’t Let the Music Die In Downtown Punta Gorda!”

I have the  4,251 Suppporters Names and Comments  for you on a thumb-drive, in a PDF file – who stated thousands of great comments.

We are only here today for one reason voiced by the complaintant -  “it’s too loud” - However, the Petition supporters  had thousands of positive, different reasons to “Not Let the Music Die In Downtown Punta Gorda!”  Here are 4 that were randomly selected – out of thousands!

Ken Williams, Punta Gorda resident and realtor heard this from a client: "If this passes we might have to find another place to live. The arts and music culture is a big reason we visit so much and plan to move here soon".

Lee Albers - "Lifetime residents matter."

Joette Hesse - "Part of the charm of downtown Punta Gorda is being able to stroll around the streets in the evenings and listen to the various musicians & bands. It will change the entire feel of downtown without the outside entertainment!"

Sandra Slattery -  "I love our life style here in SW Florida. We enjoy the music the restaurants the fun things to do. It's is one of the reasons we stay here. Without the music, well there are other nice places to live."

From the smooth sounds of Jazz on a Friday night at the Wyvern, to the Jimmy Buffet sounds at Hurricane Charlies, to the Latin sound of Carmelo's, to the rock at Dean's, to the sounds of The Boogiemen at Harpoon Harry's, to the local bands heard at The Blue Turtle, FM Dons, Shorty's, TT’s Tiki and Angela's, to the Wine & Jazz Festival - there is music for all ages.

Downtown City Marketplace and Laishley Park is a great place for national acts also - as was shown by the successful appearance last week by "The Drifters" at the 2019 Block Party.

 I am asking to you to also consider, as is being done with one complainant, the wishes and needs of over 4,251 who responded and signed the Petition, to keep Downtown Punta Gorda vibrant and fun! AND PLEASE.... DON’T LET THE MUSIC DIE IN DOWNTOWN PUNTA GORDA.

The PG CIty Council will be meeting this morning at 9am. I understand that hundreds are planning on being there. We will do our best to make your comments and wishes know to the Council. 

Again, thanks for signing the Petition. I am positive that by doing so - you will have made a difference! 

Steve Lineberry