The Editor of the St. Augustine WRecKord evidently thinks we’re all hicks, rubes and boobies, and that the WRecKord need not report the City of St. Augustine Beach passing a resolution against offshore oil drilling. Meanwhile the WRecKord thought it was news when the City of St. Augustine did not pass such a resolution, placing two front page stories about the proposal and its defeat without a second.
Consistency may be the hobgoblin of little minds, but Ellis has not explained himself. He’s out of his league. The Louisiana oil spill is a national story. Local public officials and activists did something wonderful Monday night, and Ellis won’t even report the news.
To Peter Ellis, let us ask, in the words of the Matt Damon character to the corporate lawyer in the movie “The Rainmaker:” “Do you even remember when you first sold out?”
As Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. writes (below) the ethics of Department of the Interior officials dealing with oil companies were not just elastic, they were non-existent. Likewise, MORRIS PUBLISHING’s cover-ups for local public officials, like WILLIAM B. HARRISS, reflect not just elastic ethics, but none.
Read Peter Ellis’ s cynical, whiny E-mails, below, and see his lack of respect for the City of St. Augustine Beach and local activists.
We’re going to clean up this corrupt town. We’ve run off City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS. An
Ellis “doth protest too much.” His defense of his “competence” as a result of increasing circulation is, at best, facetious – population has mushroomed since 2000, resulting in less of a decline in the WRecKord’s circulation. Ellis taking credit for an increase in circulation is a sign of desperation.
He can't defend the WrecKord's refusal to cover the St. Augustine Beach resolution. He can't defend the WRecKord's refusal to cover the news.
He can't defend the WRecKord's being the only paper in the United States that did not report on Barack OBama's election with a front page story (it was buried on page 7).
News budgets have decreased. Full-time equivalent staff has decreased. Investigative journalism his decreased. Now Elllis’ cranky E-mails suggest there is an ethics deficit and a crankiness crisis.
Expect democracy. Like any good diplomat, “don’t take no for an answer.”
We expect that newspapers will cover the news. Is that too much to ask?
As to Ellis, in the words of Adlai Stsevenson, "I believe in the forgiveness of sins and the redemption of ignorance."
Read Ellis' Philistinism and hostility below:
From: Peter Ellis
To: easlavin@aol.com; ronald.davidson@staugustinerecord.com; ron.davidson@staugutinerecord.com
Cc: Peter Ellis
Sent: Wed, May 5, 2010 1:54 pm
Subject: Re: St. Augustine Beach resolution on oil drilling
Ed:
Enough. It’s all right for you to keep beating subjects into the ground. I understand that’s what you do. But, really, you keep questioning my competency every single chance you get. Here is a simple fact: Under my leadership, this newspaper has grown faster than at any other time in its existence. The reason is because we are doing a lot of things right. That includes making sure that we don’t spend our time writing about things that don’t make a difference to our community.
Pete
From: Peter Ellis
To: easlavin@aol.com
Sent: Wed, May 5, 2010 1:49 pm
Subject: Re: St. Augustine Beach resolution on oil drillingI stand by my statement: Find something important to do. I am always amazed how much energy you spend tilting at windmills. You know that a resolution by any government body on something they don’t control means nothing.
Please, don’t write me anymore (sic) on this topic.
On 5/5/10 1:30 PM, "easlavin@aol.com"
Don't talk down to me. You ran a front page story on Leeanna Freeman's resolution, which was identical. Why?
Why don't you support the public's Right to Know?
-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Ellis
To: easlavin@aol.com
Sent: Wed, May 5, 2010 12:19 pm
Subject: Re: St. Augustine Beach resolution on oil drilling
Ed: You need to find something important to do. You know that a resolution has no power of law and, hence, is only an expression of sympathy (Sic). Please, when you have something substantive to discuss, let’s talk. An expression of sympathy (sic) by four people doesn’t meet the substantive test.
On 5/5/10 12:07 PM, "easlavin@aol.com"
So votes on resolutions are news, except when someone with a blue pencil does not like the resolution? That dog won't hunt. Please get the DVD and assign a reporter to write a story. The SAB debate was beautiful -- democracy in action in a small town, with Commissioners and citizens speaking out to protect our beaches. It is a local and national story, and you need to cover it, please. Please see the partial list of resolutions the St. Augustine has reported (below):
Local News
City could address drilling
... Augustine City Commission will today ... voting on a resolution opposing the ... exploration.The resolution is proposed ... the local commission joining those ... councils and commissions such as Clearwater ... passed similar resolutions. "The ...
http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-03-22/city-could-address-drilling
Local News
Commission dumps drilling resolution
A city resolution Monday night to add St. Augustine ... entities have already passed similar resolutions, even East Coast cities such as Fort ... measure, the city should not consider resolutions on controversial issues that don't ...
http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-03-23/commission-dumps-drilling-resolution
Local News
School Board to Crist: Veto education bill
... The board approved Tuesday night a resolution proposed by Board Member Beverly Slough ... Slough's memo said. Here is the resolution. WHEREAS, over the past few weeks much ... veto the bill and convene a special commission composed of teachers, parents, school ...
http://staugustine.com/news/2010-04-14/school-board-crist-veto-eduction-bill
Local News
City asks to sunset UF plan
... Augustine City Commission said Monday that ... Errol Jones, the commission passed a resolution 5-0 saying just ... 2007 law. "This resolution thanks UF for its ... 450th Commemoration Commission, said a foundation ...
http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-04-13/city-asks-sunset-uf-plan
Local News
City attorney says allowing only government flags may be unconstitutional
... ordered the city to fly the rainbow flag for a gay pride event. "After the court order in 2005, the city commission passed a resolution - which was untested - saying that the city just wanted to fly American flags and government flags," said ...
http://staugustine.com/news/2010-04-21/city-attorney-aays-allowing-only-government-flags-may-be-unco
Local News
St. Augustine belongs on Gullah/Geeche Corridor
... moving forward as the Corridor Commission begins a two-day visit ... St. Johns County adopted resolutions supporting the city's addition ... mistake" that the corridor commission intends to rectify. We hope ... this year as the corridor commission works on its management ...
http://staugustine.com/opinions/2010-02-18/st-augustine-belongs-gullahgeeche-corridor
ocal News
Proctor: Funds coming to repair historic buildings
... ironically, prepared a proposed resolution to be considered by the City Commission Monday night asking the ... facilities," part of the resolution says.That business plan ... historic buildings."This resolution is news to me," he said ...
http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-04-11/proctor-funds-coming-repair-historic-buildings
Local News
Bridge crossing update on county agenda
... Director, will update the commission on the issues of population ... action is required by the commission.There's also a motion to approve a resolution authorizing a 50 percent ... are also scheduled.The commission meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday ...
http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-02-15/bridge-crossing-update-county-agenda
Local News
City OKs $27K in employee bonuses
The St. Augustine City Commission this week unanimously approved a resolution authorizing $27,000 in ... city's 300 employees.Resolution 2009-36 said the bonuses ... 200 cap is reached, the resolution said.The measure passed ...
http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2009-12-16/city-oks-27k-employee-bonuses
Local News
County's protection of Matanzas River Estuary cannot waiver
... result of this resolution and of the findings ... Environmental Resource Commission declare the ... and their own resolution by approving ... the face of commission opposition late ... the road.The commission's June 2008 resolution provides a ...
http://staugustine.com/opinions/2010-02-21/countys-protection-matanzas-river-estuary-cannot-waiver
Local News
City to consider dredging Salt Run
... and city money to do that. Piggott said it would cost about $400,000. The St. Augustine City Commission will consider passing a resolution to dredge more of Salt Run and to start dredging the San Sebastian River. People who enjoy the water ...
http://staugustine.com/news/2010-03-09/city-consider-dredging-salt-run
Local News
City to look at new vendor laws
The St. Augustine City Commission on Monday is set to introduce a ... reading.In other action, the City Commission will consider:* Introduction of ... consumption of alcoholic beverages.* A resolution approving an Economic Stimulus project ...
http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-01-10/city-look-new-vendor-laws
Local News
... commission. Greenleaf asked the commission on Tuesday for a resolution urging the Florida Parole Commission to deny parole. Parker was ... Beach and St. Augustine city commissions have also adopted resolutions asking parole be denied. DeSherlia ...
http://staugustine.com/stories/031898/murderer.shtml
Local News
St. Augustine Beach's full-service post office is a welcomed addition
... city, Charles said. "I'm certainly happy we got to this point," he said. He said city commissions in the past have tried to pass resolutions for a new post office, but when you are dealing with governmental services, it takes a little ...
http://staugustine.com/stories/091604/new_2582338.shtml
Local News
Commission opposes alliance's resolution
... Jacksonville. The County Commission voted unanimously ... absent, to pass a resolution opposing the alliance's ... Meiszer said. Commission Chairwoman Karen ... the alliance's resolution was premature. In June, the commission approved a memorandum ...
http://staugustine.com/stories/121703/new_2003244.shtml
ocal News
Gullah/Geechee status important to our future
... of St. Augustine to join the effort. The City Commission has a resolution on its agenda Monday. Similar resolutions are being ... Anyone can fill make public comment. The Corridor Commission is asking how "Gullah/Geechee resources, arts ...
http://staugustine.com/stories/071209/opinions_071209_044.shtml
Local News
Editorial: City's downtown design style is set, no changes needed
... The city commission last month ... repealed a 2003 resolution that permitted ... place. The commission's repeal of that 2003 resolution automatically ... The city commission has only two ... ordinance, not a resolution, to change ...
http://staugustine.com/stories/073109/opinions_1803250.shtml
Local News
City's not done yet deciding architectural style
... Constitucion. The city commission made the right decision replacing the 2003 resolution, but it did not clarify ... design does the city commission want to prevail in ... consulted, too. Then the commission should adopt an ordinance ... more formal than a resolution ...
http://staugustine.com/stories/061109/opinions_061109_030.shtml
Local News
Letter: Commission's votes show integrity
Editor: The St. Johns County Commission deserves to be acknowledged for an honorable and well-thought ... river, and the decision to abide by their predecessors' resolutions with the Usina family both passed unanimously. The results ...
http://staugustine.com/stories/011308/opinions_067.shtml
Local News
City passes request resolution
A resolution requesting Florida Power ... by the St. Augustine City Commission. The resolution comes as a response to complaints ... I haven't even seen the resolution," Russillo said. The commission also unanimously decided ...
http://staugustine.com/stories/091404/new_2578300.shtml
Local News
County to consider water resolution
... low flow levels and red tide. The County Commission will consider opposing a resolution supporting studies needed to understand the ... resolution proposal. In other action, the County Commission will consider: Source Refrigeration & HVAC ...
http://staugustine.com/stories/010808/news_stories_011.shtml
Local News
Blueway resolution put on hold
A resolution to support the St. Johns River Blueway was tabled Tuesday by the County Commission -- but not because the board was having ... the blueway plan. "By putting off the resolution, it gives them some breathing space ...
http://staugustine.com/stories/080702/new_898875.shtml
Local News
County passes river resolution
The St. Johns County Commission passed a resolution Tuesday to oppose a proposal to withdraw millions of gallons ... not effective any more. We have to reduce water use." Commission Vice Chairwoman Cyndi Stevenson made the motion to approve ...
http://staugustine.com/stories/010908/news_txt5_002.shtml
Local News
County passes river resolution
The St. Johns County Commission passed a resolution Tuesday to oppose a proposal to withdraw millions of gallons ... not effective any more. We have to reduce water use." Commission Vice Chairwoman Cyndi Stevenson made the motion to approve ...
http://staugustine.com/stories/010908/news_stories_024.shtml
Local News
County passes river resolution
The St. Johns County Commission passed a resolution Tuesday to oppose a proposal to withdraw millions of gallons ... not effective any more. We have to reduce water use." Commission Vice Chairwoman Cyndi Stevenson made the motion to approve ...
http://staugustine.com/stories/010908/news_010908026.shtml
Local News
County to get $2.9M grant to acquire land
The St. Johns County Commission on Tuesday approved two resolutions designed to speed along $2,890,985 in state ... rights-of-way open." Stevenson moved to approve both resolutions, which passed unanimously.
http://staugustine.com/stories/070908/news_070908_038.shtml
-----Original Message-----
From: easlavin@aol.com
To: peter.ellis@staugustine.com
Sent: Wed, May 5, 2010 11:45 am
Subject: Re: St. Augustine Beach resolution on oil drilling
Offshore oil drilling off Florida's coasts would be a substantive evil. If it was front page news that the City of St. Augustine didn't pass an almost identical resolution, how can it be no news at all when the City of St. Augustine Beach does pass the resolution? Randomly selected? They were elected. You know that.
-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Ellis
To: easlavin@aol.com
Sent: Wed, May 5, 2010 11:37 am
Subject: Re: St. Augustine Beach resolution on oil drilling
Apartheid? Slavery? You’re overstating your case, Ed. The action of the commission is a show of sympathy, not of law, and has no more meaning than that of any five randomly selected individuals. You know that.
On 5/5/10 11:32 AM, "easlavin@aol.com"
They speak for the City of St. Augustine Beach. They were acting as the conscience of their community, just like all the towns and cities that voted to condemn slavery, segregation and Apartheid.
-----Original Message-----
From: Ellis, Peter
To: easlavin@aol.com
Sent: Wed, May 5, 2010 10:07 am
Subject: Re: Fwd: St. Augustine Beach resolution on oil drilling
This does not have the power of law, right? Therefore, it is of no value except that it reflects the view of four citizens, right?
________________________________________
From: easlavin@aol.com
To: Ellis, Peter; Guinta, Peter; renadeau@bellsouth.net Sent: Wed May 05 09:38:44 2010
Subject: Fwd: St. Augustine Beach resolution on oil drilling
-----Original Message-----
From: sabadmin
To: easlavin@aol.com
Sent: Wed, May 5, 2010 8:56 am
Subject: RE: St. Augustine Beach resolution on oil drilling
The final resolution is attached
Thanks,
Sharon
Sharon Widdifield
Deputy City Clerk
City of St. Augustine Beach
2200 A1A South
St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080
904-471-2122
PLEASE NOTE: Under Florida law, most communications to and from the City are public records. Your e-mails, including your e-mail address, may be subject to public disclosure.
________________________________________
From: easlavin@aol.com [mailto:easlavin@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 8:56 AM
To: sabadmin@cityofsab.org
Subject: St. Augustine Beach resolution on oil drilling
Good morning:
Could you please E-mail me the final text of the resolution, including the friendly amendment?
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ed Slavin
829-3877
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