Plaudits to Tampa City Council Vice Chair Mary Mulhern for doggedly staying with her follow-up efforts in the wake of resumed direct flights between TIA and Havana. After two previous attempts, City Council has voted to finally send aletter of greetings, courtesy and smart business protocol to the Cuban
government. Council member Mike Suarez, who still objects to a “government-to-government” communication, was the only dissentingvote.
Although Tampa has lingered longer than necessary in making headway with limited trade that is allowable between the U.S. and Cuba, Mulhern has been a breath of fresh air in her proactive approach. She educated herself on the issues and recognized the potential at stake for this area. She knows that doing business–from local to international–is about developing relationships. That means, as she has pointed out, “expanding our dialogue with Cuba.”
There’s no reason for Tampa to remain a timid player vis-a-vis Cuba. No reason to cede business to Mobile and Houston.
She also knows that when Cuba finally opens up, and the embargo is relegated to Cold War history, the Cuban government will remember who was on board back when. And who has comported themselves as last-minute opportunists.