The Collective Press
Issue # 8 / 2005
Meet non-resident,
City Manager-for-life, Bill Harriss
Editorial by Ed Slavin
Meet non-resident, City Manager-for-life, Bill Harriss Controversial St. Augustine City Manager William B. Harris does not live in the City of St. Augustine. Harriss, who was long the Assistant City Manager under William Pomar, became City Manager pursuant to a controversial contract that forces the City to pay him two years pay if he is ever removed from office. Harriss is most noted for his hostility to First Amendment exercises of artists and entertainers on St. George Street.
In a more recent First Amendment case, Harriss thrice vetoed Gay Pride Flags on the Bridge of Lions, only to be TKOed by a TRO (temporary restraining order) from a United States District Judge on June 7th. A member of his household, Ms. Phyllis Harriss, confirmed July 1, 2005 to The Collective Press that the Harriss residence is not even in the City. A telephone message left for William Harris has never been returned. We will publish any response.
Speakers at St. Augustine City Commission meetings have been queried about their residences and forced to tell their addresses on live television. Members of Boards and Commissions are limited to City residents, with a recent exception made for the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB), whose Chair lives in South Ponte Vedra.
Many cities require City Managers to be residents. In this case, St. Augustine's City Manager does not live in the City, does not receive City services and pays no City taxes.His "service," such as it is, should no longer be required.
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