After an 11-week hiatus, Mayor Ashton Hayward is bringing back his sessions with the local media, “Mornings with the Mayor.” This time he has announced that City Administrator Colleen Castille will be an official part of the session.
Castille was part of the first two “Mornings” but she didn’t sit at the table. I guess she gets a chair by Hayward this time.
A lot has happened over the two and half months. The press should have several issues to bring up, including:
- ST Aerospace Memorandum of Understanding, his announcement and the supposed grant from the governor’s office that is to reduce county’s contribution,
- Pitt Slip Marina Lease, notice of default, his retraction and why negotiations broke down (Disclosure: Collier Merrill (5%) and Ray Russenberger (2.5%) have minor interests in the Independent News),
- Fish Hatchery, its value to the city, its location and the Bruce Beach $1-a-year lease,
- Airport Food Concession, why four-month delay in putting it back on the agenda (Disclosure: Collier Merrill (5%) see above),
- Veterans Parade permit issue, why did the county have to step in to solve it
- Dollar General on Summit and Spanish Trail-when did he know about Dollar Store possibly coming to the Cordova Park area
- Domestic Partnership Registry, did he favor it, if so, why didn’t he speak on it at the council meetings
- Food Trucks, for or against
- The rise in hate crimes inside the city
- Studers buying PNJ building
- Loss of direct flight to Washington, D.C.
- Have budgets cut impacted maintenance of facilities – Pensacola Airport
These are just few of the items that may come up. I hope an hour is enough time to do so.