Letter: Want a great leader? Romano is clear choice

Letter: Want a great leader? Romano is clear choice
Publication Date: 11/04/06


Editor: I read with interest your endorsements of candidates for mayor and commissioner of the city of St. Augustine. In regard to one endorsement, you used the well worn but still warm and fuzzy phrase of "consensus builder.'' In life and politics we learn to our regret that consensus does not always benefit the citizens. For example, did our current commissioners build a consensus to dump waste material in our coquina reservoir in violation of the law?

Is there also a consensus to not have a litter control program or an answer to the growing homeless problem. What about the consensus that hides the true budget and expenses of the city in broad undefinable terms. In fact the strength of our government comes not from consensus for its own sake but from fair and honest representation achieved by hard work, specific facts and most important, ongoing direct contact with the electorate. In this election the only candidate who isn't part of this out of control group thinking is Peter Romano. For example, one of the main planks of Mr. Romano's campaign is a plan to make each commission seat representative of a defined region of our city.

This is a diverse and unique place and yet we think that one size will fit all. Electing commissioners "at large'' leaves every neighborhood at risk without any hope of electing a true advocate of their unique needs. This one change would lead to the best and brightest individuals running for truly representative commissioner's seats. In addition Peter Romano with his exceptional background in finance and urban concepts has the credentials to lead this city as mayor and commissioner and to demand facts first, consensus later!

John A. Yeary
St. Augustine