Attachment Ai~.~l
r~ ~'
ATTACHMENT A
AUGUST 23, 1999 COrfMISSIOr! MEETING
800 SE~II~IOLE ROAD
ATLANTIC BEACH. FLORIDA 32233-5445
TELEPHO\E (904) 247-5800
FAX (904) 24i-5805
SUNCO\4 853-5800
August 19,1999
Kathleen Feindt-Bailey, Editor
The Beaches Leader
1114 Beach Blvd.
Jacksonville Beach, F132250
Dear Ms. Feindt-Bailey:
Two articles appearing in recent editions of the Beaches Leader have prompted me to express concern on
the part of our elected officials for the accuracy of the information that your newspaper is providing to the
public.
The first article of concern vas the editorial in the August 13, 1999 edition that questioned ~rhy the City of
Atlantic Beach would send a three-man team to Io~ya to make a job offer to a City Manager candidate. The
editorial made the assumption that the purpose of this team vas to make a job offer. That was not the
intended purpose of the visit. ~ •
I
Atlantic Beach representatives plan to meet with community leaders, city staff, members of the news
media, and others living and working in the community with the candidate. Its purpose is to assure that the
application, resume, and background checks are accurate reflections of the candidate's work. The position
is important enough to Atlantic Beach officials that they want to double-check the candidate's background
to assure the highest quality of professionalism and character.
The second article of concern was the front page article in the August 18, 1999 edition that was headlined
"AB stormwater rates due for hike." The first sentence stated, "Atlantic Beach officials hinted during a
budget workshop meeting Monday that utility rates for storm~vater could be increased in the future." This
was very misleading.- There was no recommendation to raise the stormwater rates, and it was discussed
that until Atlantic Beach knetiv what the future expenses would be, it would be premature to alter the rates.
The future demands could be higher or lower, depending on stormwater decisions.
Additionally, the statement in the fifth paragraph that Aikenhead & Odum "may deliver a conceptual
design plan later this week" vas also incorrect. Aikenhead & Odum is negotiating with City staff on a
contract to perform services for a design plan. The actual plan will probably take 45 days from the
approval of the contract.
Summary: Although these errors or omissions may appear to be relatively minor, they mislead the public
and provoke a negative response. ~'Ve know that you are committed to providing timely, accurate
information to our community. To that end, we respectfully request that you re-emphasize the necessity
for accuracy.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
•a ~~
r
Kathleen Feindt-Bailey, Editor
Page 2
~,N,,l~ August 19,1999
Sincerely,
David E. Thompson
City Manager
cc: Mayor Suzanne Shaughnessy, Atlantic Beach
City Commission, Atlantic Beach