People ask why our elected officials abdicate their responsibility in the decision-making process. Most of the members of the City Commission seem to have no problem making incredible decisions without the benefit of information or facts. For example, look at recent Commission decisions regarding the cruise ship industry.
Statements based on nothing have been made, reflecting either the self interest of proponents for expansion of the industry, or the subjective opinions of opponents of expansion, regardless of the unknown longterm economic or environmental consequences of that expansion.
Individuals and civic groups like Last Stand grow frustrated because they have been requesting for years that the City provide a comprehensive and unbiased study of cruise ships before decisions are made. Some of these individuals and groups have been demonized and have suffered attacks in the press.
Among current issues and those arising in the near future are the opening of Cuba, balancing tourism and quality of life issues, cruise ship impacts and benefits, and how to meet our transportation needs. To deal with these issues effectively, we need unbiased facts. Some issues require comprehensive studies because they are so profound with such far-reaching effects. Often, members of the Commission seem to have an inability to deal with controversial issues. Difficult issues are handed off to unelected people, to City Staff, to another board or committee or even to a state agency.
Recently, I've had the opportunity to become personally involved with the tour bus committee. The City Commission was prepared to pass the ordinance prohibiting 40-foot busses from giving tours in residential areas and on small streets of Old Town. That was until they were heavily lobbied by people who have a special interest in this ordinance, which supersedes their concern for the whole community. So, on to the tour bus committee.
It's contagious, from City to committee. Most members of the tour bus committee seem to think that recommendations to the City Commission based on subjective feelings or clear self-interest, using not one fact to substantiate support for that position, will suffice. This leaves the City Commission with no means to evaluate those recommendations and brings us no closer to the passage and implementation of this long-overdue tour bus ordinance.
We do need to use a comprehensive approach in finding solutions to our problems and to define our needs as a city.
At our most recent meeting, neither side wanted any information about tour busses and the implication was that, to do so, would slow the process of getting this ordinance back to the City Commission. We appeared to be two opposing groups just butting heads. Logical thinking, however, tells us that we need baseline information, a starting point. We need to know how many busses come here, how often, bringing how many passengers. If this ordinance is to be part of a comprehensive solution, it must have a solid basis in fact.
My suggestion to the rest of the committee at our next meeting will be that we begin by collecting information ourselves in teams of two people, one from each side of the issue, working together. To see for ourselves what each person on the committee is talking about will enhance our ability to view the issue fairly. Each pair of people can bring beach chairs and clipboards to the Southernmost Point, find a shady spot to sit for four hours and begin counting busses as they drive by or stop. How many passengers get off the bus? How long do they stay? Is the engine running? Are there fumes in the air? What is the noise level on a decibelmeter?
This way, no matter how we feel about the issue, when we've done this a few times on different days of the week and in different locations, by sharing the information we've gathered, it will be easier for the group to face the reality of the situation.
The tour bus committee has an excellent opportunity to make a change in the way our City faces difficult issues and deals with controversy. Much can be accomplished by a group of people willing to extend themselves and make inquiries to get the information necessary to make a truly informed decision. Information on every City issue has to be shared freely with citizens so we can take a meaningful role in the process and come to our own conclusions regarding City issues. We also need thoughtful, well-informed decisions to be made on our behalf by elected City officials.