Tuesday, November 14, 2006

WHAT A CREATIVE WAY TO OBSTRUCT AN ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME INVESTIGATION OF ILLEGAL DUMPING BY THE NATION:S OLDEST (EUROPEAN-FOUNDED) CITY

If you were a truck driver or a profssional engineer employed by the City of St. Augustine, how helpful would you bewith criminal investigators knowing that the City Commissioners stood behind the City Manager and that you could be fired at will, with no training informing employees of their federal environmental whistleblower rights?

On February 27, 2006, EPA and FDEP investigators began an investigation of illegal dumping by the City of St. Augustine.

On March 13, 2006, City Commissioners reacted with pejoratives over criticism and questioning of City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS, voting to give him a heck-of-a-job award and expressing their confidence, while refusing to give him a performance appraisal during his eight years as City Manager.

With City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRIS grinning from ear to ear, on March 27, 2006, Commissioners adopted the folllowing:


P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, the City of St. Augustine is extraordinary among places in the world and is fortunate to have William B. “Bill” Harriss as its City Manager, a person whose passion for the City and professional commitment to the City is unmatched; and

WHEREAS, in his more than two decades of service to the people of St. Augustine as Chief Financial Officer, General Services Director, Assistant City Manager and now as City Manager, Mr. Harriss’ philosophy of administration through strong team-building consistently inspires the City’s more than 350 employees to aspire to do their best, and

WHEREAS, through responsible fiscal planning, Mr. Harriss has ensured the City’s solid financial standing and earned its sound management the highest respect; and
WHEREAS, with honest enthusiasm for the highest level of proficiency in every aspectof his work, Mr. Harriss’ prudent management has resulted in improved reliability of service for the City’s 10,000 utility customers while continually upgrading infrastructure, and

WHEREAS, by making public safety a high priority, Mr. Harriss has lead the fire and police departments to create a safe community for the City’s 14,000 residents and millions of annual visitors.

NOW, THEREFORE, it is with great pride that the St. Augustine City Commissionrecognizes the outstanding contributions made by William B. “Bill” Harriss to the people of St. Augustine, commends him for his professional commitment, and expresses its full confidence inhis management of the City.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our signatures and caused the Seal of the City of St. Augustine to be affixed this 27th day of March in the year of our Lord twothousand six and the four hundred fortieth year of the founding of St. Augustine, the Nation’sOldest City.

George Gardner, Mayor
Susan Burk, Vice Mayor
Joseph Boles, Commissioner
Donald Crichlow, Commissioner
Errol Jones, Commissioner

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