Wednesday, 15 June 2011 20:06 | Last Updated on Sunday, 19 June 2011 06:29 | Written by Matt Nye

The Melbourne City Council voted 4-3 to approve the first reading of the new red light camera ordinance at the Tuesday night Council meeting. There will be two more public hearings on the ordinance.

According to Bob White, Chair of the Republican Liberty Caucus of East Florida, four audience members spoke against it. "I think the 4-3 vote makes it clear this isn't a done deal, and I encourage everyone to come out to the next meeting to speak out against this ordinance," White said.

Mayor Goode and Council Members Meehan, Nowlin and Tasker voted yes; Council Members Jones, Laruso and Thomas voted no. Contact info for Council Members is here: http://www.melbourneflorida.org/info/council_info.htm

Brevard Tea Party Organizer Matt Nye did a public records request for all correspondence between staff and council members on the red light cameras. The request yielded 362 pages, which may be viewed free of charge at the City of Melbourne Clerk's office. The documents should provide insight as to why council members voted the way they did. Contact Cathy Wysor at 321-608-7220 if you wish to purchase the documents.

The next reading of the ordinance will take place at the regularly scheduled Tuesday, June 28th City Council meeting.