To the Political Machine of WILLIAM B. HARRISS:
"Don't Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch"
Controversial St. Augustine, Florida Mayor
Mayor GEORGE GARDNER sent numerous E-mails inviting people to a a victory party celebration November 7 at the Taberna de Gallo, the city-owned pub on St. George Street.
Is Mayor GARDNER crowing prematurely, inviting people to join a celebration of his anticipated victory in the race for Commission Seat 3? Is this another "Dewey Beats Truman" headline?
"Taberna de Gallo" means the Rooster's Tavern in Spanish. To the St. Augustine political machine of City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS and Mayor GEORGE GARDNER, do you remember what your mothers told you: "Don't count your chickens before they hatch?"
Is Wanna-be Mayor JOSEPH LEROY BOLES, JR. also prematurely celebrating victory?
In America (as opposed to the late dictator Francisco Franco's fascist Spain) we count all the votes before anyone celebrates victory, boys. Does anyone have a good recipe for Pico de Gallo?
See you November 7th at the polls.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Letter: Romano, not Gardner, will help quality of life
Letter: Romano, not Gardner, will help quality of life
The Rev. Debbie Axen
Vice President of Lincolnville Neighborhood Association - St. Augustine
Publication Date: 10/31/06
Editor: I am writing in response to the letter to the editor on Oct. 29 endorsing George Gardner. Many cities across Florida have implemented and, more importantly, supported neighborhood associations. The writer specifically indicated that the Lincolnville Neighborhood Association (LNA) was particularly effective. This is much more due to the leadership of each and every official of LNA, since it was started, than to George Gardner. I am currently an officer of LNA.
Sure the mayor listens to us -- he is good at that. But what has he done to truly support the quality of life for the residents and neighborhoods -- in other words, we the taxpayers and we the voters?
In Lincolnville, our streets and sidewalks are in disrepair, the homeless congregate, we suffer from prostitution, drugs and crime, including most recently, a murder and arson not involving long-time Lincolnville residents. Our day care center had to be locked down, scaring our children, and residents and the Flagler students and their parents have to worry about their safety. In four years, Mayor
Gardner has not led the commissioners or city in any meaningful improvements.
Peter Romano has twice served as president of LNA -- his leadership has supported our neighborhood. The city neither funded nor empowered the neighborhood associations with dollars for communication or with specific actionable powers/responsibilities. Peter, as LNA president, approached the board of St. Francis House to urge relocation of the facility. It was Peter who went to the Zoning Commission every time another parking lot was to encroach or surround Lincolnville. Peter answers our calls and e-mails.
Peter reaches out to his neighbors to support their personal needs and their causes.
I am voting for Peter Romano. He listens to the residents of his neighborhood and he will do the same for each neighborhood.
I urge all residents and voters of Lincolnville to vote for Peter for city commissioner and mayor. We have been neglected too long! Your vote will make a difference!
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/103106/opinions_4167343.shtml
© The St. Augustine Record
The Rev. Debbie Axen
Vice President of Lincolnville Neighborhood Association - St. Augustine
Publication Date: 10/31/06
Editor: I am writing in response to the letter to the editor on Oct. 29 endorsing George Gardner. Many cities across Florida have implemented and, more importantly, supported neighborhood associations. The writer specifically indicated that the Lincolnville Neighborhood Association (LNA) was particularly effective. This is much more due to the leadership of each and every official of LNA, since it was started, than to George Gardner. I am currently an officer of LNA.
Sure the mayor listens to us -- he is good at that. But what has he done to truly support the quality of life for the residents and neighborhoods -- in other words, we the taxpayers and we the voters?
In Lincolnville, our streets and sidewalks are in disrepair, the homeless congregate, we suffer from prostitution, drugs and crime, including most recently, a murder and arson not involving long-time Lincolnville residents. Our day care center had to be locked down, scaring our children, and residents and the Flagler students and their parents have to worry about their safety. In four years, Mayor
Gardner has not led the commissioners or city in any meaningful improvements.
Peter Romano has twice served as president of LNA -- his leadership has supported our neighborhood. The city neither funded nor empowered the neighborhood associations with dollars for communication or with specific actionable powers/responsibilities. Peter, as LNA president, approached the board of St. Francis House to urge relocation of the facility. It was Peter who went to the Zoning Commission every time another parking lot was to encroach or surround Lincolnville. Peter answers our calls and e-mails.
Peter reaches out to his neighbors to support their personal needs and their causes.
I am voting for Peter Romano. He listens to the residents of his neighborhood and he will do the same for each neighborhood.
I urge all residents and voters of Lincolnville to vote for Peter for city commissioner and mayor. We have been neglected too long! Your vote will make a difference!
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/103106/opinions_4167343.shtml
© The St. Augustine Record
Monday, October 30, 2006
GEORGE R. GARDNER: The Last Hurrah?
GEORGE R. GARDNER: The Last Hurrah?
In Edwin O’Connor’s novel/movie, "The Last Hurrah," a genial fraud, an old-fashioned machine politician loses election because he did not appreciate the changing nature of his city and its people.
Likewise, St. Augustine Mayor George GARDNER faces a tough re-election battle against Peter Romano. GARDNER’s support is lagging for St. Augustine City Commissioner, precisely because GARDNER (like O’Conner’s Mayor Frank Skeffington), failed to keep his bright promise and stopped listening to (and responding) to the people.
GARDNER asked me on New Year’s Eve (December 31, 2005) if I would call for the firing of City Manager WILLIAM HARRISS, evidently preferring me to call for what he promised his supporters he would do if elected. I declined to do so. I declined to be a bullet in GARDNER’s gun or to throw myself under a bus for him. If HARRISS is to be removed, it should be after an open public hearing, with full due process rights, a precedent to protect the rights of all City employees in the future.
Mayor George GARDNER is a third-generation politician, the grandson of four-term Schenectady, New York Mayor Mayor George R. Lunn and son of eleven-term Schenectady County Clerk Carroll "Pink" GARDNER.
Mayor GARDNER has given me pompous lectures in City Commission meetings, while never responding to 90 questions on illegal dumping. Among the pompous lectures about "politics" were that one should not talk about too many issues, one should not criticize the City Manager or politicians’ appointees, and asking if I had "lint" in my "pockets."
Mayor GARDNER’s support is like the River Platte -- "a mile wide and an inch deep." As people learn the truth about our City and abuses of employees, GARDNER’s support fades.
GARDNER’s shallow surface knowledge of governance is shocking -- on New Year’s Eve he asked me, "what’s an Inspector General." His shallowness is what one would expect from a former newspaper editor who was an editor for tatterdemalion GANNETT and the foreruner of U.S. Today. He does not like the St. Augustine Record but does not inform himself by reading the N.Y. Times. His Babbitt-like boosterism is no substitute for thought or creativity.
Mayor GARDNER’s father and grandfather ran as reformers. I did not know them. However, from watching City government for seven years, I do know that Mr. GARDNER is maladroit, having botched the management of our City from stem to stern, tolerating abuses of power, violating First Amendment rights and presiding over the illegal dumping of the entire contents of the old illegal city dump into our Old City Reservoir.
GARDNER responds to criticism much the same way as Frank Skeffington or George W. Bush -- with anger and hubris. One of Skeffington’s critics said he would do things differently if he had them to do over again. Skeffington respond, "the hell I would.’
Like Commodore Vanderbilt, GARDNER’s approach to concerns about the public interest, on issue after issue, is "let the public be damned." (See below).
In Edwin O’Connor’s novel/movie, "The Last Hurrah," a genial fraud, an old-fashioned machine politician loses election because he did not appreciate the changing nature of his city and its people.
Likewise, St. Augustine Mayor George GARDNER faces a tough re-election battle against Peter Romano. GARDNER’s support is lagging for St. Augustine City Commissioner, precisely because GARDNER (like O’Conner’s Mayor Frank Skeffington), failed to keep his bright promise and stopped listening to (and responding) to the people.
GARDNER asked me on New Year’s Eve (December 31, 2005) if I would call for the firing of City Manager WILLIAM HARRISS, evidently preferring me to call for what he promised his supporters he would do if elected. I declined to do so. I declined to be a bullet in GARDNER’s gun or to throw myself under a bus for him. If HARRISS is to be removed, it should be after an open public hearing, with full due process rights, a precedent to protect the rights of all City employees in the future.
Mayor George GARDNER is a third-generation politician, the grandson of four-term Schenectady, New York Mayor Mayor George R. Lunn and son of eleven-term Schenectady County Clerk Carroll "Pink" GARDNER.
Mayor GARDNER has given me pompous lectures in City Commission meetings, while never responding to 90 questions on illegal dumping. Among the pompous lectures about "politics" were that one should not talk about too many issues, one should not criticize the City Manager or politicians’ appointees, and asking if I had "lint" in my "pockets."
Mayor GARDNER’s support is like the River Platte -- "a mile wide and an inch deep." As people learn the truth about our City and abuses of employees, GARDNER’s support fades.
GARDNER’s shallow surface knowledge of governance is shocking -- on New Year’s Eve he asked me, "what’s an Inspector General." His shallowness is what one would expect from a former newspaper editor who was an editor for tatterdemalion GANNETT and the foreruner of U.S. Today. He does not like the St. Augustine Record but does not inform himself by reading the N.Y. Times. His Babbitt-like boosterism is no substitute for thought or creativity.
Mayor GARDNER’s father and grandfather ran as reformers. I did not know them. However, from watching City government for seven years, I do know that Mr. GARDNER is maladroit, having botched the management of our City from stem to stern, tolerating abuses of power, violating First Amendment rights and presiding over the illegal dumping of the entire contents of the old illegal city dump into our Old City Reservoir.
GARDNER responds to criticism much the same way as Frank Skeffington or George W. Bush -- with anger and hubris. One of Skeffington’s critics said he would do things differently if he had them to do over again. Skeffington respond, "the hell I would.’
Like Commodore Vanderbilt, GARDNER’s approach to concerns about the public interest, on issue after issue, is "let the public be damned." (See below).
Letter: Gardner lack of vision clear on 'livable' cities
Letter: Gardner lack of vision clear on 'livable' citiesAngie MaisenbergerPonte Vedra BeachPublication Date: 10/27/06
Editor: I read with great interest the article "Is city walkable enough?" I was amazed at Mark Knight's and George Gardner's response to Dan Burden's vision for walkable communities. Mr. Knight said that although Burden's view is ideal for cities, it's not always practical. Whatever does that mean -- St. Augustine is a city! And Mayor Gardner said that "Governments don't build communities, people build communities." Of course, governments can impede "livable cities" through lack of leadership and vision, and through Band-aid ordinances on density, parking, zoning and design -- which the current city commission promotes.
With more than 100 residents, I attended a presentation a year ago by the graduate students of the University of Florida on a vision for St. Augustine neighborhoods. Through maps, statistics and visuals, they presented a dynamic vision for a neighborhood with growth, amenities and beauty. Mayor Gardner was also there. I remember standing near him when he said to the Urban Planning professor that visions do not become reality. I am glad that Walt Disney had a vision; for President Kennedy's vision of man on the moon; or the Rockefeller's vision preserving Williamsburg for us. Visions do not become reality without leadership, dialogue, planning and hard work. Gardner's and Knight's responses to Burden's vision for a walkable city are clear examples of a city government that lacks leadership/vision.
Prosser Hallock said working with governments is difficult because of the codes and rules. Maybe those codes and rules should be changed based on a clear vision for the city.
So, if people are to build communities to meet their needs, government, including Knight and Gardner, need to get with the program.
And from the Gardner's comments on two occasions, I doubt that the leadership is in place for St. Augustine -- maybe it is a time to change leadership for someone who does believe that vision becomes reality -- someone like Peter Romano.Click here to return to story:http://staugustine.com/stories/102706/opinions_4165594b.shtml © The St. Augustine Record
Editor: I read with great interest the article "Is city walkable enough?" I was amazed at Mark Knight's and George Gardner's response to Dan Burden's vision for walkable communities. Mr. Knight said that although Burden's view is ideal for cities, it's not always practical. Whatever does that mean -- St. Augustine is a city! And Mayor Gardner said that "Governments don't build communities, people build communities." Of course, governments can impede "livable cities" through lack of leadership and vision, and through Band-aid ordinances on density, parking, zoning and design -- which the current city commission promotes.
With more than 100 residents, I attended a presentation a year ago by the graduate students of the University of Florida on a vision for St. Augustine neighborhoods. Through maps, statistics and visuals, they presented a dynamic vision for a neighborhood with growth, amenities and beauty. Mayor Gardner was also there. I remember standing near him when he said to the Urban Planning professor that visions do not become reality. I am glad that Walt Disney had a vision; for President Kennedy's vision of man on the moon; or the Rockefeller's vision preserving Williamsburg for us. Visions do not become reality without leadership, dialogue, planning and hard work. Gardner's and Knight's responses to Burden's vision for a walkable city are clear examples of a city government that lacks leadership/vision.
Prosser Hallock said working with governments is difficult because of the codes and rules. Maybe those codes and rules should be changed based on a clear vision for the city.
So, if people are to build communities to meet their needs, government, including Knight and Gardner, need to get with the program.
And from the Gardner's comments on two occasions, I doubt that the leadership is in place for St. Augustine -- maybe it is a time to change leadership for someone who does believe that vision becomes reality -- someone like Peter Romano.Click here to return to story:http://staugustine.com/stories/102706/opinions_4165594b.shtml © The St. Augustine Record
Letter: Romano won't embarrass city as others are doing
Letter: Romano won't embarrass city as others are doing
Publication Date: 10/28/06
Editor: Our city commissioners embarrass all of us. I'm supporting Peter Romano for St. Augustine Mayor and Commissioner. Peter's our Lincolnville Neighborhood Association president. I've seen how well he works to represent us.
We need his experience and creativity. Peter's an expert on detecting financial fraud, experienced in investigating both corporate and government wrongdoing.
Peter won't cower to power. He will ask questions and expect answers. He supports electing commissioners by individual districts to restore democracy.
He won't tolerate secret meetings or illegal pollution.
People in this beautiful city are uniting to protect our history and our environment.
We must stop out-of-control "developers" from ruining our town while helping solve homelessness and poverty.
Peter spoke to a Homeless Coalition meeting and emphasized restoring dignity, teaching skills, creating jobs and cost-effective housing.
At that same meeting, Gardner talked only about himself. Gardner recently said St. Augustine "has no housing problem," reportedly walking out of a tour of decrepit housing conditions and assailing Jeremy Dean's documentary film, "Dare Not Walk Alone," as too critical. In 2005, Gardner stated he only supported "positive history." History doesn't require Gardner's approval.
City commissioners' reprehensible record of arresting artists, entertainers and musicians (who once attracted tourists to St. George Street) has ironically opened the way for beggars, who now scare tourists away. Gifted musicians must be allowed back on St. George Street, with a guild.
Our city government's hostile to small businesses, frustrating us, while favoring commercial landlords, "developers" and national chains. We should ban chain stores from our historic area (as in Nantucket and Sun Valley), and promote a more authentic, quality historic tourism experience like Colonial Williamsburg.
Government waste, secrecy, illegal dumping, Sunshine violations and other problems proliferate, without answers.
Solution: let's defeat City Manager William Harriss's political machine. Elect Peter Romano mayor and commissioner.
Judith Seraphin
St. Augustine
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/102806/opinions_416735a.shtml
© The St. Augustine Record
Publication Date: 10/28/06
Editor: Our city commissioners embarrass all of us. I'm supporting Peter Romano for St. Augustine Mayor and Commissioner. Peter's our Lincolnville Neighborhood Association president. I've seen how well he works to represent us.
We need his experience and creativity. Peter's an expert on detecting financial fraud, experienced in investigating both corporate and government wrongdoing.
Peter won't cower to power. He will ask questions and expect answers. He supports electing commissioners by individual districts to restore democracy.
He won't tolerate secret meetings or illegal pollution.
People in this beautiful city are uniting to protect our history and our environment.
We must stop out-of-control "developers" from ruining our town while helping solve homelessness and poverty.
Peter spoke to a Homeless Coalition meeting and emphasized restoring dignity, teaching skills, creating jobs and cost-effective housing.
At that same meeting, Gardner talked only about himself. Gardner recently said St. Augustine "has no housing problem," reportedly walking out of a tour of decrepit housing conditions and assailing Jeremy Dean's documentary film, "Dare Not Walk Alone," as too critical. In 2005, Gardner stated he only supported "positive history." History doesn't require Gardner's approval.
City commissioners' reprehensible record of arresting artists, entertainers and musicians (who once attracted tourists to St. George Street) has ironically opened the way for beggars, who now scare tourists away. Gifted musicians must be allowed back on St. George Street, with a guild.
Our city government's hostile to small businesses, frustrating us, while favoring commercial landlords, "developers" and national chains. We should ban chain stores from our historic area (as in Nantucket and Sun Valley), and promote a more authentic, quality historic tourism experience like Colonial Williamsburg.
Government waste, secrecy, illegal dumping, Sunshine violations and other problems proliferate, without answers.
Solution: let's defeat City Manager William Harriss's political machine. Elect Peter Romano mayor and commissioner.
Judith Seraphin
St. Augustine
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/102806/opinions_416735a.shtml
© The St. Augustine Record
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