Published by the Department of Public Affairs, City of St. Augustine. Florida May 18 2010
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| City in AA financial shape |
Our city's in strong financial shape, according to the rating service that guides bond investments.
"Fitch Rating Service has increased our city's ratings," Chief Administrative Officer Tim Burchfield reported to city commissioners last week "Our water and sewer bond rating climbed two steps, from A to AA-minus, and our General Obligation Bond rating one step, from A-plus to AA-minus.
"These ratings are the underlying ratings, meaning the rating agency views the City as a quality company and a solid investment," Burchfield explained. "The City always buys up the ratings to AAA when issuing bonds, making the bonds even more desirable on the open market. The increase in the underlying ratings means the cost of buying up the rating will be less expensive to the City in the future."
Commissioners gave credit to outgoing City Manager Bill Harriss, an accountant by training, for raising our ratings from less than junk bond status to the current strong position during his 25 years with the city, beginning as Financial Services Director in 1985.
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Bronze and silver medallions, a package of tour brochures from the 50s & 60s, and an autographed copy of a book written by Pat Wickman, St. Augustine, Florida -1565-1965 - measuring two by three inches!!
The medallions were produced for The Cross and The Sword, which opened at the newly completed St. Augustine Amphitheatre June 27, 1965.
They're all being added to our inventory as we scour our city for memorabilia to be exhibited before and during our commemorations.
Of particular interest are items produced for our 400th anniversary in 1965. If you have items to loan or give for display, contact gardner@aug.com. Any memorabilia will remain in owners' hands until suitable exhibit space is created. |
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Reopening of the Visitor Center restrooms is promised by the end of May, "barring any unforeseen construction delays," General Services Director Jim Piggott told city commissioners last week.
The restrooms were closed last fall when faulty ventilation caused the ceilings to begin collapsing. The extent of problems was greater than expected, and repair time longer.
The restrooms were completed with the opening of the VIC parking facility in 2006. Our City Commission authorized $100,000 to speed immediate repair work, while City Attorney Ron Brown continues to investigate who among the restrooms' contractors to send the bills to.
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"It's that time of year again to slip on your favorite tropical shirt, board shorts & flip flops!" the St. Johns Welfare Federation announces.
Its 2nd Annual Caribbean Calypso Night will transform the loft and rooftop of the White Room into an island of calypso cuisine, casino gaming, silent auction, and dancing to the sounds of steel drums and island music this Friday from 7 to 10:30 p.m.
That island is atop the A1A Ale Works building at King Street and Avenida Menendez.
Tickets purchased before the event are $45, at the door $55. Proceeds benefit Caring Hands - Caring Community, providing continuum of healthcare services and charitable assistance to our community regardless of ability to pay. Call Anne Guenther 824-3195 for details and sponsorship opportunities.
Celebrating African-American roots
Road to Freedom: African-Americans in Florida, takes center stage at Flagler College auditorium tonight in the seventh and final program in the 450th Commemoration Commission's First America series.
African roots from the earliest black explorers in the 1500s, to Fort Mose - the first free black settlement in 1738, to the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, will be traced through exhibits and programs.
Doors open at 6 p.m. for our modern-day explorers to get their passports stamped and visit exhibits before the program begins at 7. |
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| Kinsey Collection sought for 450th | One exhibit for our commemoration period could be the Kinsey Collection, and we should have a leg up on drawing it here; Shirley Pooler Kinsey is one of our own, born and raised here.
The Kinsey Collection, which recently completed a seven-month visit to Smithsonian affiliate Brogan Museum in Tallahassee, includes works of art by important African American artists as well as historical documents and artifacts of Benjamin Banneker, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Ann Jacobs, Zora Neale Hurston, and Malcolm X.
 The ninety plus objects reveal important aspects of American history and culture, according to The Kinsey Collection website. Bernard and Shirley Kinsey started collecting as a way to share their travels, but it soon became a repository for African American intellectual, historic and artistic works.
City Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline visited the exhibit while in Tallahassee, and brought word back to 40th Accord's Gwen Duncan, Fort Mose's Derek Hankerson, historian David Nolan and others, who are now searching for a suitable venue - and checking the exhibit's schedule. They'll be competing with the likes of Washington's Smithsonian Institution, where the exhibit next opens in October.
Bernard is a former Xerox vice president, who became chief operating officer and co-chair of Rebuild Los Angeles in 1992. He and Shirley have amassed their collection over more than 35 years.
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History's Highlights
Cross and Sword celebrated our 400th
One in a series of historic features as we prepare for our commemorations, drawn from research by George Gardner. 5 years, 3 months, and 22 days to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary
June 27, 1965, Cross and Sword premiered to begin ten summer week runs in the new 2,000 seat St. Augustine Amphitheater on Anastasia Island.  The play was created to honor St. Augustine's 400th Anniversary. It was written by Paul Green, winner of the 1927 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his Broadway play In Abraham's Bosom, and noted for his ability to blend music, dance, pantomime and poetic dialogue into one larger than life historical play. In 1973, Cross and Sword was designated Florida's official state play by the Florida Legislature, and enjoyed more than two decades of production until its expense, a shift in tourism interest, and the loss of automatic state funding spelled its end. Competing with other state arts grants, Cross and Swordasked the state Division of Cultural Affairs for $27,089 in 1997, and was turned down. The 1996 season was the show's last. More recently, the largely dormant state-owned property caught the interest of our County Commission, and extensive renovations expanded seating to more than 4,000, with state-of-the art sound and lighting. The renovated amphitheatre has met with success, drawing major modern performances to its stage. Restoration of Cross and Sword is in the minds and hearts of many today who remember the original production, among them local residents who were part of the cast. It was an early addition to the Idea Vault on the 450 Community Corps website for restoration, at least during our commemoration period.
Photo and details from lostparks.com
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The St. Augustine Report is published by the Department of Public Affairs of the City of St. Augustine each Tuesday and on Fridays previewing City Commission meetings. The Report is written and distributed by George Gardner, former St. Augustine Mayor (2002-2006) and Commissioner (2006-2008) and a longtime newspaper reporter and editor. Contact The Report at gardner@aug.com |
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