Letters: Seeks leadership change
Publication Date: 08/06/06
Editor: I voted for George Gardner for mayor in 2002. He was elected mayor by 10 votes. Today, George Gardner's out of touch. (July 27 Record column).
I don't think St. Augustine is moving in the right direction. Crime is up 8.2 percent, our budget is rising 21 percent, FECI is leaving, workers can't afford to live here.
An iron triangle misrules: Commissioners, developers and City Manager Harriss.
In 2001, Harriss said St. George Street protesters had "no valid purpose," claiming "the (ir) only purpose ... is to bring shame on the city." (March 20, 2001 Record).
Harriss habitually brings "shame" on our city: ordering illegal dumping of the old illegal city landfill into the Old City Reservoir, engineering Sunshine violations (including a three-day, over $8,100 trip for 12 to NYC in 2005 and earlier "class trips"), while ejecting musicians and "buskers" from St. George Street.
Commissioners wrongfully revoked rights to speak both at the beginning and end of the meetings: people were questioning our city's illegal dumping and its attempted ruination of the 3000-4000 year old Indian village for condos and strip malls.
Now, some commissioners seek to terminate our rights to elect our mayor. Come speak on August 14. Better bring food. Commissioners have started interrupting meetings by hunkering down and hiding on City Hall's fourth floor, taking dinner breaks, with no "place (for citizens) at (that) table."
We're wasting money on white elephants and junkets, with uncompetitive contracts and selective franchise favoritism (like Time Warner's lucrative 10 year cable franchise).
Secretive officials can't/won't answer questions. Gardner admits "there's no dialogue here."
Our city deserves informed, mature, inquisitive, intelligent, ethical, compassionate and caring leadership.
That's why I support Peter Romano of Lincolnville for both commissioner and mayor. Vote twice.
David Brian Wallace
St. Augustine
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