by Mark Taylor
There is not much I despise more than a bully. We’ve all been around them, in school, at the playground, and maybe even in our adult lives at work or play.
No matter where you come down on the OHM vs. Creative Food Groups, on Temporary Vendors vs. Varona’s, on Out of Town vs. Local, or on the Mayor vs. City Council, one thing I’m sure of is Pensacola doesn’t want to be a BULLY.
That is why when I heard about this final act of BULLYING going on at our Airport I had to see a copy of the letter myself.
UNBELIEVABLE – Complete and utter embarrassment is what I felt for the city that has been my family’s home for 6 generations.
A number of times I’ve heard our city administration talk about what would happen if Varona’s was not extended at the airport. Each and every time, on the record, in front of the microphone at City Council meetings, they would say that the food service would stop on March 31, 2014, Varona’s would be boarded up and given 60 days per their contract to remove their belongings, and in the mean time we would use temporary vendor’s to service the flying public.
Sounds pretty simple and straight forward, right? Until Friday, March 28, the last weekday before the final day of Varona’s contract when the Mayor’s Attorney (John Trawick of Coastal Association Law Group) has a letter hand delivered demanding Varona’s vacate all equipment by midnight on April 2.
That’s right, 24 hours, to remove over a decade of equipment and belongings, when the lease agreement gives 60 days. Even the airport director’s letter dated February 11, 2014 clearly states that Varona’s has 60 days to remove their belongings.
Mr. de Varona and Varona’s staff, I’m only one person, but PLEASE accept my sincerest apology for the bullying you have received. For over a decade you have faithfully served our airport and served our community through your volunteerism. Your community service and dedication has not gone unnoticed and I am truly sorry for the unprofessional ways you have been treated. I, for one, am thankful that November is coming…
–Mark Taylor is a Pensacola business owner, a member of the Community Maritime Park Associates Board of Trustees and a candidate for the Pensacola City Council, District 6.
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Here are the documents that Taylor sent with his viewpoint:
