Janice Garry, president of the League of Women Voters of Alachua County, was among community leaders at a Jan. 16 event who spoke against a state law they say circumvents voter intentions.

The LWVAC has opposed the law since it was a bill making its way through the state legislature.

The law handed governance of the city-owned Gainesville Regional Utilities to what is now a four-member board. Only one appointee lives in the city of Gainesville.

In 2018, voters soundly panned a ballot item that would have created a GRU governing board.

“In the situation with the governance of GRU, democratic processes have been dismissed. And home rule is being demolished,” Garry said.

“The League of Women Voters urges each community member to recognize that our democracy and our home rule are treasures,” she said. “Stand up for them. Insist on them.”

The event was organized by the Alachua County Labor Coalition.