Letters to the Editor for August 30, 2022. You can send your Letter to the Editor by emailing: info@sebastiandaily.com.

This week’s letter comes from Grace Reed of Sebastian.

Damien Gilliams Misinformation

Damien H. Gilliams has put forth seven items important to him according to a “news release” he sent to an area conservative “news” outlet. One resident wrote in with some opinions regarding items he feels need to be done in Sebastian.

“Stop the herbicide spraying of our stormwater management canals which all lead to the Indian River lagoon.”

The city uses it’s IPM plan and Best Practices, which has been praised by the environmental community, just not our local environmental community. I hope everyone remembers the catastrophe that occurred when Mr. Gilliams and his two minions stopped ALL spraying in the canals and ponds. It took so long to analyze different products that the weeds covered city ponds and canals. He will initiate the same thing again with the same results. Do we really want a repeat of that?

“Make it a priority to stop doing construction canal wall studies and spending millions of dollars in getting nothing done.”

There has been no canal wall studies. They did a full Stormwater Management Plan for the entire city that identifies the issues, what needs to be done and how to finance it, along with finding grants for the city. In part, also using Federal Covid money for parts of the project.

“Prioritizing and set aside more money for repaving roads and fixing potholes instead of building $9 million City garages next to Roseland.”

Road improvements and the new Public Works compound have nothing to do with each other. Sufficient funds are budgeted annually for paving and improvements. If you have potholes, contact them, and they will come out and fill them. They have on my road. The city has outgrown the current facility on CR-512, and once moved, the prior facility will be cleared and the land sold. If you outgrow your home, it would not be uncommon for you to either buy or build a larger, more accommodating one.

“Stop the purchasing of political allies personal properties and then taking them off the market to board them up and make them vacant and destroying our working waterfront community.”

Just because a resident used to be a council member or other management position in the city does not mean they are a political ally. Gilliams seems to be referring to the Harbor Lights Hotel. Once the asbestos is cleared and the police department finishes its training, the buildings will be torn down and the property sold. The city will keep the riverside property to maintain the beautiful views for residents.

“Stop them from using code enforcement to go after their political enemies and being selective in enforcing our codes based on who you are.”

This is simple. Damien Gilliams feels he is allowed to disregard city codes and file lawsuits because he feels picked on. After the Covid restrictions were lifted, all other businesses returned to their original site plan except for him. Code Enforcement applies the laws across the city without prejudice. Don’t break the law, and Code Enforcement won’t bother you.

“Closely work with the Chamber of Commerce and start attracting new businesses like mom-and-pop stores to our business district instead of throwing up regulations and showing a lot of vacancies in the business district.”

The city encourages new business. Currently, there is no usable vacancies. If there were no codes and restrictions along the waterfront and business district, think of how it would look. One only needs to see some of the yards along Indian River Drive to see clutter. I would like to see some supporting proof the city is restricting business.

“Closely monitor and work with our Environmental organizations in our community pertaining to the annexation that they the city are rushing through without proper analytical discussion.”

With the land part of the city limits, the Natural Resources Board and Planning and Zoning can begin reviewing staff recommendations or proposals for future development. Staff is working with honest environmental groups to make sure the annexation is completed properly in accordance with all applicable laws. The timeline set forth is proper with public and county input.

Grace Reed
Sebastian