Inverness disappoints pro-lifers

By John Labriola - The Inverness City Council this week rejected calls to place a resolution on its agenda condemning pro-abortion Amendment 4.

Council members said it wasn't the business of the council to "push" their beliefs on residents, some of whom may hold a different opinion on the shedding of innocent human blood. 

"I think we represent a wide spectrum of citizens [whose] ideologies may be completely different from ours," said Councilman Gene Davis. 

The decision came despite several governmental bodies around Florida adopting resolutions opposing Amendment 4, including the Collier County Commission, the Gilchrist County Commission, the Trenton City Commission and the Bradford County Commission.  

Residents like Crystal River pro-life advocate Anna Loughride were disappointed in the council's decision to "play hot potato" with the issue.

"The faith-based community is sticking its fingers in my face saying we don't preach politics. You guys are saying this is a beliefs issue and we don't want to push our beliefs on people," she told the council. "These are lives inside of mothers' wombs."

Loughridge was one of about a dozen residents who showed up to urge council members for the third time to take action against the pro-abortion amendment, which is currently polling well above 60 percent approval.

Stephanie Bell, who runs the pro-life Pregnancy and Family Life Center of Citrus County – which gives women resources to keep their babies – said abortion not only kills children but also leaves women devastated. 

"We have got to love mama and baby," Bell said. "There is extensive trauma associated with abortion, no matter what anybody will tell you. I have had women over and over tell me when they leave that abortion clinic, they leave half their heart in the trash can."

Pro-life Mayor Bob Plaisted, who doesn't have a vote on the council, asked his colleagues to consider taking action "because it really is something that will impact our state for years to come, and perhaps in a very negative way, with people coming here as a tourist destination for abortions." 

Councilwoman Jacquie Hepfer said she's personally voting against Amendment 4 but would not support a resolution saying so. 

"A resolution from a very small city means nothing," she claimed.

Last month, the Citrus County Commission also rejected the idea of a resolution to oppose Amendment 4, which is deceptively written to fool voters into believing it allows regulation of abortion after "viability" but includes a broad "health" loophole that would allow abortion to the moment of birth if the abortionist claims it's necessary "to protect the patient's health," which courts have interpreted as justifying abortion for virtually any reason.

Funded by Planned Parenthood, the ACLU and several Soros-backed groups, Amendment 4 would repeal Florida's Heartbeat Protection Act, make abortion the only procedure not to require parental consent for minors, and do away with the 24-hour waiting period for abortions and clinic safety regulations. It would also drive up litigation costs and could force the state to subsidize abortions using taxpayer dollars.