EDITOR’S NOTE: This letter was sent to City Council before being submitted to The Leader.    

I received your newsletter/propaganda featuring Mr. Mauro’s take on parking. Let’s be clear that the toxic and community damaging parking situation has been managed into existence. Managed into existence. Like so many other failures.

Parking deconstruction is an early example of defunding of police. In this case volunteers. Mr. Mauro gives many excuses for the current blind eye he and council maintain. One excuse after the other. What could be the catalyst to allegedly deal with it now? As in the past it is likely nothing will come of this most recent hollow “review.”

I have witnessed the smiley faced corruption firsthand and understand all the players. If John Mauro believes his flimsy excuses, it is a bad sign. If he does not believe his excuses, that is also a bad sign.

Either way a bad City Manager. With a PR newsletter. Now in color. Dozens of emails I have sent over 12 years have documented the ongoing damage culturally and financially. The “tone” matches the disrespect key players in city government dish out. A reflection.

For some relevant history below is an email I sent to one of the editors of The Leader who asked me to simplify parking issues Nov 13, 2023. He quit soon after. One of several editors that came and went with record speed.

I begin physically moving my business and cultural touchstone of 48 years away from your influence Oct 15 and will be out by Oct 31. Take solace in the fact that you will always have Windermere.

As always, a reminder that in larger and larger tide pools and petri dishes that will surely impact you all, your counterparts are keeping heads down and critical thought at bay. Empty vessels filled with empty narratives, just to fit in.

With the utmost disrespect.

Harvey Windle

Forest Gems Gallery