Judge gives Robert de Varona 60 days to vacate Pensacola International Airport (KPNS)

A judge has given airport concessionaire Robert de Varona until May 30 to remove his property from Pensacola International Airport.

City officials last week told de Varona he would have only until April 3 to remove his belongings and make way for Missouri-based OHM Concessions to begin doing business.

De Varona, who had provided food and beverage services at the airport for more than two decades, responded by filing suit – arguing that his lease clearly gave 60 days to remove his property.

At a hearing Thursday, Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh ruled that de Varona should be given until May 30 to remove his property. Daniel Harrell, an attorney representing de Varona, said the judge had based his ruling on a Feb. 11 letter in which Airport Director Greg Donovan told de Varona he would be given 60 days to vacate the premises.

Bergosh denied de Varona’s related request for a temporary injunction against the city, Harrell said.

In a statement issued Thursday night, de Varona said he was pleased by the ruling.

“Today's ruling is a signal that private enterprise should not be bullied by government officials,” he said, “and that contracts and agreements should be respected by all parties.“

Mayor Ashton Hayward called the ruling “fair and equitable.”

“I sincerely hope that this issue is now settled to the satisfaction of all involved,” Hayward said, “and that we can focus on working together to help take our city and our airport upward.”

Source:    http://www.pnj.com