Longtime public servant Montanari reflects on municipal legacy

For the first time in nearly nine years, the St. Petersburg City Council dais lacks a placard bearing Ed Montanari’s name.

The longtime public servant, known for his calm, thoughtful demeanor and massive red binder, is taking a much-needed break from politics after a storm-challenged state representative campaign. However, Montanari will “absolutely” remain in St. Petersburg and pledged to continue building his local legacy.

His fellow council members honored their longest-tenured and only Republican colleague with an extensive tribute at a recent meeting. Mayor Ken Welch presented Montanari with a key to the city.

That sometimes emotional, cross-aisle support was no surprise to those familiar with municipal government. Montanari, as Welch noted, always sought to build consensus.

“My bottom line was, is this good for St. Petersburg?” Montanari told the Catalyst. “If I disagreed, I tried to disagree without being disagreeable. To me, that’s what’s missing sometimes in day-to-day politics.”

Ed Montanari (right) was an F-16 fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Photo: Facebook.

Montanari’s public service began long before he stepped foot in City Hall. The Northeast High School graduate enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1980.

The lifelong aviation aficionado lived out his childhood dream by flying F-16 fighter jets, earning the Air Force Commendation Medal and other honors. In 1989, Montanari transitioned to piloting passenger aircraft with American Airlines.

“My first five years on city council, I was flying an airline schedule,” he said. “A lot of people don’t know that City Council is supposed to be a part-time job. It’s turned into a full-time job.”

Some of Montanari’s proudest local achievements occurred before taking office. “I put almost 11 years of effort into getting The (St. Petersburg) Pier built,” he said.

Those efforts began on a task force during former Mayor Rick Baker’s administration. Montanari said the group started from scratch and had “no consensus, at all, about what to do.”

He served on subsequent redevelopment committees under former Mayors Bill Foster and Rick Kriseman. “But we finally got The Pier done,” Montanari said.

“The Pier is special in St. Petersburg because a lot of people relate to our seven-mile waterfront park system,” he added. “And The Pier is kind of our defining go-to place on the waterfront.”

Montanari also chaired an Albert Whitted Airport task force that followed a contentious public referendum in 2003. Some residents preferred to shutter and redevelop the facility.

The task force led efforts to create Albert Whitted Park, the latest addition to the waterfront system. Montanari said the aviation-themed playground, which once included a radio that broadcasted control tower transmissions, was a way to spur interest in the industry and airport. That is also why the Hangar Restaurant provides patrons with a front-row view of a terminal.

Ed Montanari flew Boeing jets for American Airlines throughout his first city council term. Photo: Facebook.

Montanari participated in a “complicated redrawing” of the airport’s boundaries to accommodate a new Dali Museum. “I was just fortunate that I’ve been a part of a lot of these things that have happened over the past 20-plus years,” he said.

“I understand how hard it was to make it happen – and to try and get people to agree on complicated things.”

Welch commended Montanari for “always showing up for our city, time and time again, with a clear sense of purpose to serve and lead in a manner that builds consensus and makes a positive impact.”

Councilmember Gina Driscoll said Montanari possesses “this talent and knowledge that you don’t find every day.” She called him a “very special kind of public servant.”

“It started before you were on the City Council, and I know it’s going to continue far beyond this day,” Driscoll added. “For the rest of your life, all around our city … you’ll be able to point to things and say, ‘I helped make that happen.'”

From left: Councilmember Brandi Gabbard, Mayor Ken Welch and then-Councilmember Ed Montanari hear resident’s concerns at a Resilience Community Listening Session in February of this year. Photo by Mark Parker.

For the first time since Jan. 7, 2016, Montanari is adjusting to life away from City Hall. He recently lost a close race to Rep. Lindsay Cross for the District 60 seat in the State House of Representatives and forfeited his remaining council term.

Montanari still believes he, like his mentor, former Congressman Bill Young, would have secured much-needed appropriations for the area. He also noted the benefits of having majority-party representation in Tallahassee.

However, Montanari could also use a political pause. His home flooded during Hurricane Helene, and he also lost two vehicles while juggling a campaign and serving similarly affected constituents.

“I don’t sit around very much,” Montanari said. “I plan to continue to be involved. But what that looks like … I’m not sure. I need to take some time off and reevaluate.”

He called it an “absolute honor” to serve St. Petersburg’s residents and work alongside elected officials, city staff and community leaders. “I’m very proud of what we’ve done with our city,” Montanari said.

“I want to continue to see St. Petersburg thriving for years to come.”