December 8, 2025
Good morning, Commissioners,
As I reflected on yesterday’s meeting, I left with a sense of concern about the direction of our leadership. What stood out most was the impression—shared by many in the community—that the human impact of decision-making is not being fully prioritized. The focus appeared to be more on controlling the narrative than on addressing the real needs of employees who will feel the effects most directly.
It was difficult to watch how members of the City’s team were undermined during a discussion about tree removal. Moments like that have a lasting impact on morale, initiative, and trust. When staff feel publicly undermined, it discourages self-motivation and creates hesitation rather than empowerment. Strong leadership often means holding people accountable while also supporting them, especially when circumstances are challenging, or processes need improvement.
It was also clear to many observers that an extension of Nights of Lights was unlikely from the outset. That is, of course, a policy choice the Commission has the authority to make. The concern lies not in the decision itself, but in the absence of any meaningful discussion about how this outcome will affect the thousands of workers whose hours, income, and stability depend on January tourism. The conversation focused almost entirely on implementation challenges—many of which could have been addressed with a few targeted phone calls—without acknowledging the human consequences for the people who keep this community running.
The Nights of Lights discussion appeared coordinated by the Commission and staff to create a narrative that limited discussion. I offer this respectfully because civic participation is one of our community’s greatest strengths. Residents—especially young people watching their government in action—need to see that their voices matter and that public input is a meaningful part of the decision-making process. We were disappointed not to be able to offer clarifying information during the legal but highly restrictive discussion. Our goal remains to support the community and protect local jobs.
These are issues that deserve thoughtful reflection. Leadership is not only about making difficult decisions; it is also about demonstrating empathy, supporting your team, and recognizing the real-world impact on residents and workers. I raise these points respectfully, with the hope that future discussions will more fully reflect the values and people that make St. Augustine strong.
I want to emphasize that I remain committed to collaborating with each of you. I am meeting with tourism employers across the county to help them prepare for what will be a difficult January. If any member of this Commission would like to review deeper economic data or discuss these issues further, I will gladly make myself available.
There were several statements made last night that did not fully reflect the history of how Nights of Lights planning unfolded over the past year. I want to address this respectfully, with the goal of improving future processes.
I encourage you to review the video of last night’s meeting, as several important facts were either misstated or overlooked. The City’s own data does not align with some of the statements presented. For example, in December 2024, the city parking garage received just over 112,000 cars, while in January 2025 that number fell to just over 39,000. This dramatic decrease is consistent with decades of historical patterns: demand drops steeply after the first weekend of January, with the single notable exception being the Saturday of Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. January has always been a soft month, and although Nights of Lights provides valuable support, overall visitation remains significantly lower.
It is also important to remember that this Commission previously extended Nights of Lights into the first weekend of February during the 2020–2021 season. That decision was made by your Commission during Nights of Lights itself, specifically to help workers and small businesses recover from the COVID downturn. It reflected compassion, responsiveness, and a strong commitment to the well-being of residents.
Regardless of the decision, the economic impact remains significant. Current projections show January occupancy may fall well below 50 percent, placing real strain on workers and employers. Decades ago, similar conditions occurred before Nights of Lights became widely recognized. We sincerely hope we can avoid repeating that history.
Thank you for your time, your service, and your continued dedication to the well-being of this community.
Sincerely,
Irving J. Kass
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