Dear Editor,
Your article of Dec. 13, 2021 entitled: “Attorney Advises Key West to Renegotiate Cruise Ship Contract with Pier B,” recaps the City of Key West’s Dec. 12, 2021 cruise ship workshop.
But my takeaway was slightly different.
I heard the CEO of Tripp Scott Law, attorney Ed Pozzouli, reiterating what our City Attorney Shawn Smith has been saying for months. He confirmed to the mayor, city commissioners and general public that Pier B’s development agreement was valid and the City had zero standing in attempting to change the terms, conditions and duration of that agreement.
The attorneys may have agreed to move forward with an attempt to renegotiate the lease; however my take was that request came from the insistence of the mayor and commissioners. While who requested the renegotiation with Pier B isn’t of importance, it’s the request itself that is a violation of governmental ethics — and possibly a violation of law.
Government wields enormous power over its citizens and business entities; therefore, their actions need to follow a defined pattern of legal procedures. This protects citizens from being forced to make coerced decisions through the harassment and intimidation of those in power.
The defined pattern of legal procedures necessary to remove someone from a legally valid lease agreement are extremely straightforward. Either let this entity continue under its current framework and duration; or make an offer to buy out the remainder of their lease; or file suit and seek a court judgment that releases the City from this lease arrangement. Anything else is harassment or intimidation.
To that end, I implore the City to immediately do what’s legal and proper by rescinding its directive of renegotiating with Pier B.
Sincerely,
Mike Morawski
907 Whitehead St., Key West
