Mr. Mayor, Members of the City Commission, Mr. City Manager:

Controversial issues always cause a lot of input from many directions and I am sure that is the case with the Western Union.  I am sorry to add to the “noise” but wanted to make two very important points with you.  I will be brief.

As you are aware, the Bight Board has taken a very courageous stance by unanimously passing a decision to fund the restoration of the Conch Republic Flagship and State of Florida Flagship, schooner Western Union.  This will, everyone believes, be the catalyst for an additional $500,000 from the State of Florida.  It is proper and fitting that the first $250,000 comes from the Historic Bight who has, as one of its missions, the preservation of history.  I am quite sure there is significant support for this by all those businesses in the Bight who helped pay into the now very generous reserves in the Bight treasury.  In short, those who generated the money are in favor of this very appropriate expenditure to preserve the schooner Western Union for the Historic Bight and for generations to come.

From here, it falls to you to make the final decision before it goes to the State.  As former owners of the Western Union and the company which brought the vessel back to Key West and then invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in her maintenance and restoration, we wish to implore you to help in this worthwhile endeavor.  The state has several icons that are designated official representatives of Florida such as the state flower, the state bird and, in our case the state flagship.  There is a prominent sign on the wall at the Capital Building with the Western Union denoted as the official flagship for the State of Florida.  It is an honor for our city and also a responsibility.  In this vein, it would be an obvious gesture of no little importance if the request to the state of Florida is accompanied by a unanimous decision of not only the Bight Board but also the City Commission.  It would be a great act of faith that would certainly have an impact on the State’s decision.

As always, thank you for your service and I believe that you and we will do the right thing … preserve the Union!

Sincerely,

Chris Belland

CEO

Historic Tours of America, Inc.

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